Mauricio Pochettino appointed as Manchester United head coach through June 2029

Manchester United officially confirmed the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the new men's head coach on Friday, November 14, 2026. The decision follows the dismissal of Michael Carrick, who left the position on Thursday, November 13, 2026. Pochettino is expected to officially take charge of the team on November 18, 2026.

Contract details and transition

Pochettino signed a two-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at the club until June 2029. To secure the new manager, Manchester United reached an agreement with the United States Soccer Federation to release Pochettino and his staff. This agreement allows the staff to depart following their scheduled matches against Haiti on November 14 and November 17. Reports regarding the financial terms of the transition vary between outlets; Bild reported the release clause is approximately 9 million euros, while Observador reported the amount is around 10 million euros.

Pochettino previously managed several high-profile clubs, including Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea. During his recent tenure with the United States, he led the team to the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup. Regarding the move, Pochettino said, "It was a difficult and emotional decision to leave the US team, but he wanted to take the Manchester United job because it is a rare opportunity."

Squad and player updates

The club faces significant challenges on the pitch, as Economic Times reported Manchester United is currently in the Premier League relegation zone. This follows a recent 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on November 8, 2026. Amidst these struggles, the club is also dealing with contract negotiations involving captain Bruno Fernandes. The player has reportedly rejected a second contract renewal offer from Manchester United due to economic disagreements. Because his current contract expires in June 2027, Bruno Fernandes is permitted to negotiate with other clubs starting in January.

In other football news, Denmark's Nations League preparations have been affected by injury. Patrick Dorgu has withdrawn from Denmark's upcoming matches against Portugal and Norway due to a hamstring injury, according to reports from team doctor Morten Boesen.

Institutional background

The appointment of Pochettino follows a period of transition for the club hierarchy. While the club hierarchy initially thought Pochettino was out of reach, similar to Unai Emery, the club has moved to stabilize the first team. Manchester United has won 20 English championships throughout its history. The current management structure includes Managing Director Omar Berrada and Sporting Director Jason Wilcox, working under the ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The club's recent performance has been inconsistent, including a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa. The pressure on the new coaching staff arrives at a critical time as the club attempts to move away from the relegation zone and rebuild its competitive standing in the Premier League.

Glossary

• Southampton — Southampton is an English club. The club signed Cedric to a four-year contract in 2015.
• Chelsea — Chelsea is a club that has managed various players and coaches. It has been represented by agent Pini Zahavi during negotiations.
• relegation zone — The relegation zone is a position in a league that teams attempt to move away from. Manchester United is currently in the Premier League relegation zone.
• Nations League — The Nations League is a new competition created by UEFA. It involves national teams competing in group stages.
• United States Soccer Federation — The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), or U.S. Soccer, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official governing body of soccer in the United States. It is a full member of FIFA that governs American soccer at the international, professional, and amateur levels.