Mauricio Pochettino is leaving the United States men's national team to take the head coaching job at Manchester United.
The Red Devils finalized a deal to hire the Argentine tactician away from the USMNT after deciding to sack Michael Carrick, sources told The Athletic's Adam Crafton and David Ornstein.
Pochettino will reportedly sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester United.
The Red Devils could announce Pochettino as early as Friday, according to Crafton and Ornstein.
The fallen Premier League giants fired Carrick on Thursday after a dismal start to the season that's left the club languishing in the relegation zone. Man United, sitting 18th in England's top flight, have just one victory from their opening 10 matches of the league campaign, marking their worst start to a season in 40 years.
Man United reportedly opened talks with Pochettino earlier this week, prior to Carrick's formal dismissal, to iron out personal terms with the 54-year-old bench boss.
Pochettino recently signed a new contract with U.S. Soccer through the 2030 World Cup and reportedly had a $10-million release clause that Manchester United triggered to pry him away.
Pochettino, who has extensive Premier League managerial experience after spells at Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea, has long coveted the job at Old Trafford.
He reportedly engaged in talks with Man United about the position on three previous occasions: when Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2018, before the club hired Erik ten Hag in 2022, and again when the Dutchman was fired in 2024.
Hired by U.S. Soccer in 2024 as the permanent replacement for Gregg Berhalter, Pochettino led the Americans to the round of 16 at this summer's World Cup. The tournament co-host won three of its opening four matches on home soil before being eliminated by Belgium.
In all, the former defender oversaw 35 matches with the USMNT, leading the team to 21 wins.
However, a return to club soccer always seemed likely. Pochettino reportedly met with AC Milan representatives ahead of the 2026 World Cup to discuss their coaching vacancy, though no deal materialized.
Despite negotiating his exit during the international break, Pochettino is still expected to be on the touchline for the United States' CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti over the next week.
Following those two games, the Americans don't have another competitive fixture until March, giving U.S. Soccer ample time to find a new coach. The federation will reportedly pursue Pep Guardiola as its top target.
Pochettino now faces the monumental task of restoring a floundering Manchester United to the upper echelons of the Premier League.
The club has just one win in its last 11 matches across all competitions and has conceded 15 goals over its last five contests.
Pochettino's first game in charge will be against perennial rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Nov. 22.
