Man Utd 18th: The number behind Pochettino's imminent exit

Mauricio Pochettino is on the verge of leaving the United States men's national team to become the manager of Manchester United.

The Argentine coach, who led the U.S. to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, is closing in on a deal with the English Premier League club. The move is expected to be finalized on Thursday. The news arrives two days before the U.S. is scheduled to begin CONCACAF Nations League play against Haiti on Saturday.

Pochettino took over the U.S. program in 2024. He had previously managed Tottenham, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain. Under his leadership, the Americans won consecutive World Cup matches for the first time since 1930. The team advanced from the group stage with a match to spare. The squad recorded three victories in a single tournament, a new record. The run ended with a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16. Despite the exit, Pochettino signed a four-year contract extension in August to lead the team through the 2030 World Cup.

Manchester United currently sits in 18th place in a 20-team league. If the season concluded immediately, the club would be relegated to a lower division. United has won 20 English league titles, a record tied for the most in history. The most recent title came in 2013. The club fired manager Michael Carrick on Thursday. A break clause in Pochettino’s U.S. contract allowed United to make its move.

U.S. players expressed gratitude for Pochettino’s impact. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter said the coach helped him develop as a player and a person. Berhalter noted that Pochettino made the team prouder to represent the country. Striker Folarin Balogun, who scored three goals at the World Cup, said Pochettino laid the foundation for the team. Balogun stated that the players now own the standard of play established during the tournament.

U.S. Soccer officials are expected to begin a search for a new coach immediately. Reports indicate they have their eyes on Pep Guardiola. The 55-year-old has won three La Liga championships with Barcelona, three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, and six Premier League championships with Manchester City. Guardiola has never managed a national team. An investigative report released in September accused Manchester City of circumventing financial rules. U.S. officials could also turn to Major League Soccer for the next manager. Bruce Arena, Bob Bradley, and Gregg Berhalter previously led the U.S. to the knockout stages.

The next coach will inherit a roster with an average age of 26. The squad included rising stars such as 25-year-old striker Folarin Balogun and 22-year-old defender Alex Freeman. Pochettino noted before the World Cup that the U.S. did not have any players ranking in the world's top 100. He reflected on the tournament as a period of magic, noting the emotional connection with the fans after a 2-0 win over Australia.

Pochettino acknowledged the volatility of soccer when he signed his extension. He stated that four years is a long period and that feelings can change. He was in Spain when the Manchester United move became public. The U.S. team will face Haiti in its next match on Saturday.