Pochettino will leave the USMNT for Manchester United after the Haiti matches

November 13 noon update: U.S. Soccer confirms Pochettino’s departure

U.S. Soccer has confirmed that Mauricio Pochettino will leave for Manchester United after coaching the November 14 and 17 Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti. Steve Cherundolo will lead the previously scheduled December camp, which will use a primarily MLS-based roster. The federation has not named its next permanent head coach.

CEO JT Batson and chief operating officer Dan Helfrich will lead the search with a soccer leadership group that includes Emma Hayes and Oguchi Onyewu. The December camp assignment gives the U.S. a defined immediate plan while that search proceeds. Pochettino remains responsible for the current camp through its conclusion.

ESPN reports that Pochettino signed a two-and-a-half-year United contract. His departure is now official; the earlier negotiation reports below describe what was known before Friday’s confirmation.

Earlier reporting, with dates preserved

Mauricio Pochettino has agreed terms on a two-and-a-half-year Manchester United contract, ESPN’s Rob Dawson reports Friday. The report says an agreement with U.S. Soccer would allow him to complete the two Haiti matches before joining United, with a first visit to Carrington expected Wednesday, November 18.

ESPN reported at 2:56 a.m. ET that an announcement was expected Friday. United’s and U.S. Soccer’s official news indexes did not contain an appointment announcement at this morning’s check. The agreement and proposed handover therefore remain attributed reporting. United’s next league match is against Liverpool on November 22, according to the report.

Manchester United dismissed Michael Carrick on Thursday with the club 18th in the Premier League after ten matches. United confirmed his departure in an official statement and said it intended to appoint a permanent successor quickly.

The club has one league win this season. Carrick’s removal follows a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, a recovery from two goals down that still left United in the relegation zone, Sky Sports reported.

Mauricio Pochettino is the reported choice to replace him. ESPN’s Rob Dawson reported that United was close to an agreement with the U.S. men’s national team coach. Sky Sports subsequently reported an agreement, with paperwork and regulatory steps remaining. Neither report is a club announcement of a completed appointment.

How quickly the record changed

Carrick had won 12 of 17 league matches after replacing Ruben Amorim in January, taking United to third place and back into the Champions League. A two-year contract followed in May. This season’s return is three wins in 15 matches across all competitions, according to Sky Sports, including that single victory in ten league games.

The distinction between those samples matters. The successful spring gave United a reason to make the appointment permanent. The autumn left it trying to repair both domestic results and a European campaign. The coaching change comes only months after the club committed to Carrick.

The U.S. connection remains a reported negotiation

Dawson reports that United intends to trigger a $10 million release clause in Pochettino’s U.S. Soccer contract once personal terms are settled. Sky reports the clause as about £7 million. Those are reported contract terms, not a verified payment or confirmation that U.S. Soccer has completed his release.

A move would therefore affect two teams’ immediate planning. United needs a coach for the return from the international break; the U.S. has its own matches to prepare. Reports differ on the precise handover timetable, so a first training session or match in charge cannot yet be treated as settled.

Changing the coach gives United a chance to change preparation, selection and tactical priorities. It does not explain the entire reversal from third place to 18th. The next appointment will be judged first on whether the same squad can produce a more reliable standard, starting with the league form that ended Carrick’s tenure.