Mauricio Pochettino is leaving his position as head coach of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) to take charge of Manchester United, bringing an unexpected end to his international assignment after two years in charge.
U.S. Soccer confirmed the decision on Friday, November 13, saying Pochettino and his coaching staff will remain with the national team through the end of the current international camp. They will oversee the United States in its two Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti on November 14 and 17 before the Argentine begins his new role at Old Trafford. The official U.S. Soccer announcement confirmed the departure.
The move brings Pochettino back to club management and places him in charge of one of English football’s most closely watched teams. According to Reuters, he is expected to begin his Manchester United duties on November 18, with his first match scheduled to be the Premier League meeting with Liverpool on November 22.
A Sudden Change After A Long-Term Commitment
The timing of the announcement is notable because Pochettino and U.S. Soccer agreed to a contract extension in August that was intended to keep him in charge through the 2030 World Cup cycle. His departure therefore represents a major change in direction for the federation just months after it publicly committed to building its next phase around the former Tottenham Hotspur manager.
U.S. Soccer said Pochettino made a lasting contribution through his leadership, professionalism and work to strengthen the culture across the men’s national-team programme. Federation chief executive and secretary general JT Batson praised the coach and his staff for raising standards and improving the connection between youth national teams and the senior side.
Pochettino’s Record With The United States
Appointed in September 2024, Pochettino leaves with a record of 21 wins, 12 defeats and two draws from 35 matches. During his tenure, the United States reached the final of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup and advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
U.S. Soccer also highlighted his role in broadening the player pool and creating opportunities for younger footballers. The federation said 75 players earned at least one cap during his tenure, while 11 players aged under 21 made their senior-team debuts during the most recent international window.
Those developments form part of the legacy Pochettino leaves behind. His work was not limited to match results; the federation credited his staff with helping establish closer links between youth development and the senior national team. The challenge for his successor will be to preserve that progress while preparing the United States for the next international cycle.
What Manchester United Are Getting
Pochettino arrives with extensive experience in European football. Before taking the USMNT job, he managed Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. His most memorable Premier League spell came at Tottenham, where he built a competitive side and guided the club to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final.
Manchester United are turning to him at a demanding moment, with the club seeking greater consistency and a clear direction. Pochettino’s teams have often been associated with energetic pressing, high-intensity football and the development of younger players. Translating those principles quickly into results will be central to the task awaiting him at Old Trafford.
The immediate challenge is particularly significant: Reuters reports that his first assignment is expected to be away to Liverpool on November 22. That fixture would offer little time for a lengthy adjustment period and would place the new manager under an intense spotlight from the outset.
Haiti Matches Will Mark His Final USMNT Duty
Before travelling to England, Pochettino will complete his responsibilities with the United States in the two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti. The matches on November 14 and 17 give him an opportunity to finish his tenure on the touchline and provide continuity for the players during the transition.
U.S. Soccer has confirmed that Steve Cherundolo will lead the team’s previously scheduled December camp, which is expected to feature a primarily Major League Soccer-based squad. The federation’s leadership will oversee the search for a permanent successor, with the stated aim of building on the foundations established during Pochettino’s tenure.
For the United States, the departure means reopening a coaching project that had recently been extended through 2030. For Manchester United, it represents a major appointment and an attempt to restore stability at a club where expectations remain exceptionally high. Pochettino now faces the challenge of turning that expectation into performances and results.
Sources: U.S. Soccer · Reuters · MLSsoccer.com · The Guardian.