Manchester United are preparing to dismiss Michael Carrick and have identified United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino as their favored candidate to take over at Old Trafford.
Relegation Threat Forces Change
Manchester United sit third-to-last in the Premier League table, facing the threat of relegation for the first time since the division was created. Senior figures have grown alarmed after a historically poor start left the team with just one victory across their first 10 league matches, sitting one point out of last place.
Co-chairman Joel Glazer, minority owner Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox head the United leadership team currently evaluating Carrick’s future, as the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season has left them just a single point above the drop zone following only one victory in their opening 10 matches.
Carrick signed a two-year contract in the summer following a successful stint as interim manager that secured Champions League qualification. However, after winning only one of four games during a recent reprieve, his position has become untenable as leadership assesses the team’s slide.
Recently promoted Hull City handed Manchester United an eye-opening 2-0 defeat to kick off the 2026-27 Premier League campaign. Performance levels have failed to improve since then, marked by low points such as a derby defeat against a depleted Manchester City side and a 2-0 collapse against Chelsea last week.
Buyout Clause Speeds Up Hunt
Pochettino agreed to a contract extension with the U.S. Soccer Federation in August to keep him in charge through the 2030 World Cup following a round-of-16 appearance this summer. Yet his agreement contains a financial escape hatch.
According to The Athletic, there is a buyout clause in Pochettino’s contract worth $10million (£7.4 million) which Manchester United can trigger to bring the Argentine back to English football. The buyout mechanism provides a defined financial route to end his national team duties early, bypassing open-ended compensation talks.
In early August, the 54-year-old Argentine formally committed his future to the Stars and Stripes by signing a fresh agreement that secures his tenure through the 2030 World Cup. This decision aimed to provide the U.S. program with steady leadership for the upcoming four-year cycle, building upon the team’s most impressive World Cup showing in decades.
An ESPN informant revealed that a $10 million (£7.4 million) buyout clause exists within the former Tottenham, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain manager’s agreement with the U.S. Soccer Federation, which Man United would need to disburse to secure the Argentine tactician.
🚨 MAURICIO POCHETTINO INTERESTED IN BECOMING MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER AS PRESSURE MOUNTS ON MICHAEL CARRICK! 😳🔴 Mauricio Pochettino would reportedly be interested in taking over as Manchester United manager amid growing uncertainty surrounding Michael Carrick's future at Old… pic.twitter.com/RKdo1fz3ux
Shortlist Features Other Names
While Pochettino leads the running due to his prior Premier League experience with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, club leadership is weighing other options. Former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, former Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, and Kieran McKenna have also drawn admiration from decision-makers at Old Trafford.
Former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is another candidate admired by United bosses. Among the available alternatives is Julian Nagelsmann, who currently lacks a club, while Kieran McKenna—interviewed for the managerial post back in 2024—retains strong backing within Old Trafford.
United face Liverpool at Anfield on November 22 as internal discussions continue regarding the timing of the dugout transition.
Details on the Buyout Clause and Contract Terms
What is the exact value of the release clause? The contract includes a buyout clause worth $10 million, equating to £7.4 million in British currency.
Does the buyout cover the entire coaching staff? The clause does not extend to Pochettino’s backroom staff, including longtime assistant Jesus Perez.
When did Pochettino sign his last international extension? He signed a new deal in August to guide the United States through the 2030 World Cup cycle.
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