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Three months after U.S. Soccer announced it had agreed to a deal with Mauricio Pochettino to coach the men’s national team for the next World Cup cycle, the star manager may be on his way out the door.
Pochettino has emerged as a potential favorite to take over Manchester United, the former Premier League powerhouse that is in the relegation zone. United has not yet fired head coach Michael Carrick, but is expected to do so, according to multiple reports.
Pochettino’s deal with U.S. Soccer—largely funded by hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin for his second consecutive contract—includes a release clause worth $10 million, The Athletic reported Monday night. (Bringing the Argentine’s full staff with him to England could cost even more.).
U.S. Soccer and a representative for Pochettino did not respond to questions about the release clause.
Pochettino was a stunning hire for U.S. Soccer in 2024, by far the most expensive or credentialed coach the federation had ever hired. He managed Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, taking Tottenham to a Champions League final and winning two French titles with PSG. On a $6 million annual contract, he led the U.S. to markedly improved play through the World Cup group stage and Round of 32, before a humiliating 4–1 loss to Belgium and repeat Round of 16 exit.
This isn’t the first time Pochettino has had suitors. Shortly before the World Cup, he was tied to the open AC Milan job, which, ironically, was filled by fired Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim.
Manchester United leaders including minority owner Jim Ratcliffe are set to discuss Carrick’s future at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday, the BBC reported.
United is among many Premier League teams owned by Americans. The Glazer family, who also owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, took over the team in 2005.
The Premier League is on an international break until Nov. 21. The U.S. has two matches against Haiti on Nov. 14 in Miami and Nov. 17 in Cincinnati.
Carrick, a club legend as a player, returned to Manchester as head coach in January after Amorim’s firing, rallying United to a third-place finish last season. Now, Carrick’s team is in 18th place, with just one win through 10 matches. Every other team in the Premier League has at least two.
Pochettino has repeatedly said that while he is happy in the U.S., he wants to return to coach in the Premier League.
“My dream now is to be in the USA for four years, but after that, why not?” Pochettino told Sky Sports News in September. “We are still young, and I think coming back is always my goal; to win the Premier League, to be in the Premier League and to build a project with the possibility of winning.
“I love the football here. I think to have the chance again is one of my wishes and I hope that happens.”
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