Mauricio Pochettino is ready to accept an offer from Manchester United to become the club’s next head coach as Michael Carrick faces an increasingly uncertain future at Old Trafford.
United have opened talks with the Argentine over the possibility of replacing Carrick, who is expected to be relieved of his duties within the next 48 hours.
According to BBC Sport on Wednesday, sources close to the situation indicate that Pochettino is keen on taking charge of the Premier League giants once Carrick’s future is resolved.
The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager, however, wants to maintain a respectful relationship with the United States Soccer Federation and is expected to wait for Manchester United to make an official approach.
United would reportedly have to pay $10 million (£7.5 million) to release Pochettino from his contract with the United States national team, which he renewed in August.
The timing could prove complicated, as the USA have a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti over the coming week.
Pochettino, 54, could therefore face a difficult decision if United make a formal offer while he is still preparing his team for the international fixtures.
The Argentine has previously been considered for the Manchester United job on three occasions, following Jose Mourinho’s departure in 2018, before the appointment of Erik ten Hag in 2022, and after the Dutchman’s dismissal in 2024.
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Meanwhile, Carrick’s future is expected to be decided at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday involving United chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Berrada and Wilcox are reportedly expected to recommend Carrick’s departure after a disappointing start to the Premier League campaign.
United have won just one of their opening 10 league matches and are currently 18th in the table, inside the relegation zone. Their position represents the club’s lowest standing at this stage of a top-flight season since the 1986-87 campaign, when they were 20th.
Carrick, 45, was pictured arriving at the club’s Carrington training ground on Wednesday as discussions over his future continued.
Pochettino previously managed Southampton and Tottenham in the Premier League, guiding Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019.
He later took charge of Paris Saint-Germain before managing Chelsea during the 2023-24 season.
The Argentine became United States head coach in September 2024 and led the co-hosts to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
With Manchester United considering another managerial change, Pochettino could finally get the opportunity to take charge at Old Trafford after several previous links with the position.
