Pochettino explains Manchester United move before final US matches

Mauricio Pochettino said his move to Manchester United came together rapidly as he addressed his departure from the United States men's national team on Friday. According to the Guardian's reporting from US Soccer's national training centre in Georgia, the Argentinian will remain in charge for two Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti before taking up his new role.

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The matches are scheduled for Saturday and Tuesday, with United and US Soccer agreeing that Pochettino should complete the international camp. He said the approaching departure would not reduce his commitment to those games. The news conference followed confirmation of his move earlier on Friday, and he became emotional while thanking federation officials and discussing the decision to leave.

Pochettino said contact concerning the United job began on Sunday afternoon, two days after he arrived for the camp. He described keeping US Soccer chief executive JT Batson and the federation informed as discussions developed. Once the agreement had progressed on Thursday, he met the players and staff to explain the situation, saying they had supported him and understood the decision.

The departure comes only months after an August contract renewal that was intended to keep Pochettino with the national team through 2030. That arrangement also gave him greater involvement in the direction of the US men's programme across its different levels. He said he had been committed to the extension and had not anticipated such a swift change, but regarded the United opening as a rare career opportunity.

The Guardian reported that United paid approximately $10 million for Pochettino's services. Batson said the money could support the federation's wider objectives, including coaching appointments, youth national teams and coaching education. The report also noted that donor Ken Griffin had subsidised a substantial part of Pochettino's $6 million salary; whether that support would continue for the next coach remained unclear.

Pochettino guided the United States to the last 16 at this year's World Cup. Asked about his legacy, he emphasised relationships and contributing his football knowledge to the federation rather than being permanently commemorated at its training centre. He said he hoped to make a similar contribution at United, while his immediate work remains the two-match tie against Haiti.