Pochettino explains emotional USA exit after Manchester United appointment

Mauricio Pochettino has described the difficulty of leaving the United States national team after being announced as Manchester United's new head coach on Friday. According to BBC Sport, the Argentine became tearful at his first news conference following confirmation of the move, thanking the US Soccer Federation and explaining that the opportunity to manage United had been too significant to turn down.

Watch the highlights:

The appointment comes only months after Pochettino signed a new four-year contract with the United States in the summer. He will remain in charge for matches against Haiti on 14 and 18 November before departing for Manchester. The 54-year-old acknowledged the sadness of his decision while saying that pursuing professional ambitions had played a part in accepting the offer from Old Trafford.

BBC Sport reported, citing sources, that Pochettino has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract with United. The broadcaster also reported that the club paid a release clause of about £7.4 million to secure his departure from the national-team job, with an additional payment for his coaching staff. Those reported financial and contractual details accompany a change of manager made during a difficult league campaign.

Pochettino succeeds Michael Carrick, who was dismissed on Thursday after what BBC Sport described as United's worst start to a domestic season in 40 years. United are 18th in the Premier League, having won one of their opening 10 matches, and are one point above bottom club Sunderland. Pochettino's first game in charge will be away to Liverpool on 22 November.

The move follows several earlier occasions on which United considered hiring him. BBC Sport recalled interest during his Tottenham tenure and reported that he was a contender when United chose Erik ten Hag in 2022. He was interviewed again in 2024 after leaving Chelsea, but United instead appointed Ruben Amorim. At Tottenham, Pochettino had delivered four top-four finishes across five full seasons.

Carrick released a statement on social media after the appointment, thanking supporters and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to lead the club. He emphasised United's history, culture and the responsibilities attached to the job. Carrick had signed a two-year contract in May; his successor now has two remaining US fixtures before beginning work with a team near the foot of the Premier League.