Manchester United Sack Michael Carrick as Pochettino Agrees to Take Over
Manchester United sacked Michael Carrick after one win in 10 games left the club 18th, with Mauricio Pochettino set to take over after two final USA matches.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Bryan Berlin
MANCHESTER — Manchester United sacked head coach Michael Carrick on Thursday, November 12, after one win in 10 Premier League games left the club 18th in the table. The club confirmed the departure in a statement, and Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to succeed him, a move that also takes the United States men’s national team coach.
Pochettino, 54, will coach the United States against Haiti in Miami on Saturday, November 14, and in Cincinnati on Tuesday, November 17, before moving to Manchester. United expect him at Carrington by November 18, with his first match the trip to Liverpool on November 22. United will pay U.S. Soccer about £7.5 million ($10 million) under the release clause in his contract.
- Carrick, 45, was dismissed on Thursday, November 12, after one win in 10 league games left United 18th with eight points.
- Pochettino, 54, has agreed to take over after coaching the United States against Haiti twice.
- United will pay U.S. Soccer about £7.5 million ($10 million) under the release clause in Pochettino’s contract.
- His staff have also left; he is the seventh permanent United manager dismissed since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Why Did Manchester United Sack Michael Carrick?
The decision was taken at a review meeting on Monday, when chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox concluded Carrick’s position was untenable. The pair flew to Monaco to meet minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and ratify the call, then told Carrick at Carrington on Thursday morning.
United have eight points from 10 league games, winning once, and sit 18th — the club’s worst start to a Premier League season. Carrick’s final match was a 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa on November 8. Assistant Steve Holland and coaches Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion have also left.
Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as interim head coach in January, won 12 of 17 games to finish third, and signed a two-year deal in May. Six months later, he is gone.
When Will Mauricio Pochettino Take Over at Manchester United?
United and Pochettino reached a full agreement on Thursday. United had contacted U.S. Soccer the day before sacking Carrick about the release clause, first raised by Pochettino’s representatives. United said a permanent successor would be appointed “as quickly as possible.”
Pochettino holds a press conference on Friday, coaches the United States against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday, and is expected at Carrington by November 18. His first game is at Liverpool on November 22. He took charge of the United States in 2024 and extended his deal three months ago through the 2030 World Cup.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Carrick takes over as interim head coach |
| May 2026 | Carrick signs a two-year permanent contract after a third-place finish |
| November 8, 2026 | Final match: 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa |
| November 12, 2026 | Carrick sacked; United agree terms with Pochettino |
| November 22, 2026 | Pochettino’s first United match: Liverpool at Anfield |
What Happens to the US Men’s National Team After Pochettino Leaves?
U.S. Soccer loses its head coach three months after extending him through the 2030 World Cup. The Haiti games will be Pochettino’s last, and the federation has not yet announced a successor. It follows a difficult stretch for the American game, which saw the United States withdraw from the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar over safety concerns.
The change lands in a crowded American sports window, with the College Football Playoff expanding to 24 teams from 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Michael Carrick sacked by Manchester United?
One win in 10 league games left United 18th with eight points, the club’s worst start to a Premier League season.
Is Mauricio Pochettino the new Manchester United manager?
Pochettino has agreed to take over, with about £7.5 million ($10 million) payable to U.S. Soccer. He joins after coaching the United States against Haiti twice.
When is Mauricio Pochettino’s first game as Manchester United manager?
His first match is at Liverpool on November 22. He is expected at Carrington by November 18, after the second Haiti leg on November 17.
Who will coach the US men’s national team after Mauricio Pochettino leaves?
Pochettino coaches the Nations League quarter-final legs against Haiti on November 14 and 17, his final games in charge. U.S. Soccer has not yet announced a successor.
Pochettino holds a pre-match press conference on Friday before the first Haiti leg in Miami on Saturday.
