SI reported that Mauricio Pochettino had emerged as an unexpected frontrunner for the Manchester United job, while Michael Carrick is reportedly set to be fired.
Pochettino on his Premier League ambitions
When asked in April if he wanted to return to the Premier League, Pochettino said: “One day, yes because I really like England. I think my human profile and coach profile match very well with the Premier League and with the culture, the idea, the idiosyncrasy and the philosophy.”
Pochettino’s USMNT contract
Pochettino committed his future to the U.S. men's national team by signing a contract extension through the 2030 World Cup. A release clause in his contract with the USMNT would allow him to leave U.S. Soccer to take over Manchester United.
Pochettino said upon signing his new deal in August: “We are excited by the opportunity to bring all our experience and knowledge to even more areas of U.S. Soccer while helping strengthen the pathways for players, coaches and teams across the federation.”
The USMNT’s recent results and challenge
Pochettino led the USMNT to four wins over Chile, Peru, Mexico and Canada during the September-October international break. The Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals present the next challenge for Pochettino, with the USMNT facing Haiti in a two-legged tie in November.
Youth development and the November roster
As part of his new contract, Pochettino agreed to be heavily involved in U.S. Soccer's youth developmental process. He called up 13 uncapped players for the team's four fall friendlies, including eight teenagers. Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall and Justin Ellis earned places on Pochettino's roster for the November international break.
U.S. Soccer CEO and secretary general JT Batson added: “Mauricio and his staff believe in the future of soccer in the United States and our new project allows us to build on progress of the USMNT and the momentum of U.S. Soccer.”
