Mauricio Pochettino: Leaving USA for Man Utd 'most difficult' decision of career

Mauricio Pochettino bade an emotional farewell to the United States national football team on Friday, describing his decision to join Manchester United as "one of the most difficult" of his career.

Pochettino, 54, spoke to media in the United States just hours after being officially named as Manchester United's new manager following the sacking of Michael Carrick.

The Argentine, who in August signed a four-year contract extension to continue as US coach through to the 2030 World Cup, fought back tears as he drew a line under his successful two-year reign.

"We learned a lot from you all, from this amazing country," Pochettino said. "I think this was one of the most difficult decisions of [my] career."

Pochettino will remain in his post to oversee the United States' back-to-back CONCACAF Nations League matches against Haiti on Saturday and next Tuesday before starting with the English Premier League giants.

The former Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss became emotional again as he reflected on his stint in the United States, which saw him lead his team to the last 16 of this year's World Cup.  

"To the staff and the players, I want to say thank you so much for the last two years," Pochettino said. "You made me feel really happy sharing an amazing project. It's difficult now for me to finish.

"We were very excited to share a project which we really believed. It makes the decision harder. 

"It's difficult to talk now because I'm a very emotional guy. In some part it's a very sad decision, in another part we are professional and we are trying to make our dreams come true."

 

Swift negotiations

Pochettino, who has been linked with Manchester United throughout his career, said negotiations to seal the switch had unfolded rapidly.

"All was so quick because we arrived here last Friday and Sunday afternoon, this type of situation started to appear," Pochettino said.

"We were talking with the federation and yesterday, when the agreement was reached, we had a meeting and I communicated with the players. They were very supportive. 

"US Soccer and Manchester United agreed we would continue, and that will not change our commitment."

Pochettino said he had not considered a possible return to the Premier League when he signed his contract extension with US Soccer in August – but added that the possibility of joining Manchester United was too big to turn down. 

"I never said I wanted to go back in the Premier League," he said. 

"Not too many opportunities can happen in your career with a side like Manchester United. That is difficult to turn down when it arrives.

"But I want to make clear that when we decided to extend, it was a commitment for the federation."

The 54-year-old is understood to have signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Old Trafford, taking him through to the end of the 2028/29 season.

 

United in problems

United have made their worst-ever start to a Premier League season, winning just one of their opening 10 matches, and dropped into the relegation zone before the current international break.

"The club has reached an agreement with the US soccer federation for Mauricio and his staff to be released after the conclusion of their responsibilities with the US men's national team," United said in a statement.

"The Argentine is renowned for his high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong, cohesive teams and his outstanding record of developing individual players. Pochettino has consistently performed at the highest level of football across multiple leagues."

Pochettino, who led the United States to the last-16 of the World Cup on home soil earlier this year, said in a statement released by US Soccer that the job with the national team had been "one of the greatest honours of my career."

US Soccer CEO and secretary general JT Batson said Pochettino had left a lasting legacy through his "leadership, professionalism and commitment to our players and culture".

The federation is reportedly set to receive US$10 million in compensation, plus a further US$2 million for the departure of Pochettino's  coaching staff.

Pochettino, who started his Premier League managerial career with Southampton, never finished lower than fifth during his five full seasons at Tottenham and reached the 2019 Champions League final.

He claimed the first trophies of his managerial career with PSG, collecting the 2021 French Cup and 2022 Ligue 1 title, but did not see out his contract in Paris.

Pochettino returned to the dugout at Chelsea in 2023 but only lasted one season, reaching the FA Cup semi-finals and losing in the League Cup final.

 

United slide

The former Argentina international, who has been linked with the United job on several previous occasions, has a huge task on his hands to revive the floundering 20-time English champions.

He faces a baptism of fire, with United next in action at the home of fierce rivals Liverpool on November 22.

Pochettino must unite a club that is deeply divided on and off the pitch.

United captain Bruno Fernandes was dropped last month after he criticised Carrick's tactics and Lisandro Martínez took a public swipe at the United hierarchy over a lack of investment.

One early issue for Pochettino could be the future of Portugal international Fernandes, who is understood to have rejected a second contract offer.

Angry fans vented their frustration at the club's ownership following the sacking of the popular Carrick, who won multiple trophies as a player under Alex Ferguson. 

He was the seventh permanent manager to be dismissed since the Scot retired in 2013.

Despite fierce and persistent protests over two decades, the US-based Glazer family still hold a majority stake in the club, which Malcolm Glazer bought via a leveraged takeover in 2005, saddling United with huge debts.

Any hopes the arrival of British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe as a minority owner in 2024 would signal a new dawn have since faded.

Carrick issued an emotional statement wishing United "nothing but success", saying his love for the club "never dies."

"I've had the immense privilege of leading Manchester United, the football club that I love," he wrote on Instagram.

"There are very few who get to live that and feel it, and for that I'm incredibly grateful."

 

– TIMES/AFP