Pochettino explains US departure after rapid Manchester United talks

Mauricio Pochettino said his departure from the United States men's national team for Manchester United developed rapidly, with initial contact coming on Sunday before the move was announced on Friday. Speaking at US Soccer's national training center, he described a difficult decision but said he remained committed to completing the current international camp, according to the Guardian's reporting from Fayetteville, Georgia.

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Pochettino will stay in charge for the two Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday. United and US Soccer agreed that he should finish those fixtures before leaving. He said he informed the players and staff on Thursday, once negotiations had progressed, and thanked them for supporting him through the change.

The timing reverses a longer-term arrangement announced only in August, when Pochettino extended his US contract through 2030. That renewal also gave him greater responsibility for the direction of the men's programme across different levels. At Friday's news conference, he maintained that his commitment when signing the extension had been genuine and that he had not expected another opportunity to develop so soon.

Pochettino said he had kept US Soccer chief executive JT Batson and the federation informed as talks advanced. He explained that interest from United represented an unusual career opportunity and was difficult to reject. Although emotional during his remarks, he also expressed enthusiasm about returning to club management and insisted that the pending departure would not diminish the importance of the Haiti matches.

The Guardian reported that United paid approximately $10 million for Pochettino's services. Asked about the money, Batson said the nonprofit federation could use those funds for coaching appointments, youth national teams and coach education. US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone joined Batson and Pochettino at the news conference as questions turned to the federation's next steps.

A significant portion of Pochettino's $6 million salary had been supported by donor Ken Griffin, the Guardian reported, but whether that backing will continue for a successor remains unclear. Pochettino leaves a tenure that included a last-16 finish at this year's World Cup. He said his priority had been contributing his football knowledge and building relationships within the federation, an approach he hopes to carry into his United role.