Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the United States men’s national team, is interested in taking the managerial position at Manchester United. Multiple sources indicate that this interest is mutual, potentially signaling an early end to his tenure in the United States. Securing Pochettino’s services is far from simple or inexpensive. According to the Athletic first, The details of Pochettino’s buyout.
United currently faces a turbulent period under head coach Michael Carrick, whose team is enduring its worst start to a campaign in four decades and is currently threatened by relegation from the Premier League. The potential pursuit of Pochettino is complicated by the financial terms of his current deal. Sources familiar with the arrangement state that his release clause sits at approximately $10 million, or £7.5 million. This fee is expected to increase if Manchester United chooses to retain members of his long-standing coaching staff. According to the Argentinian’s contract contains a release clause in the neighborhood of $10m (£7.5m), multiple sources familiar with the deal, This week, a figure that grows should United choose to retain Pochettino.
Pochettino joined the USMNT in 2024 and oversaw a last-16 exit at the 2026 World Cup, a result viewed by many as disappointing. By most accounts a disappointment, pochettino was brought on by the US in 2024 and guided the USMNT to a last-16 finish at the 2026 World Cup.
Despite this, the federation recently extended his contract through 2030, with both parties publicly committing to a long-term project aimed at reforming American youth development. Following his renewal, Pochettino told reporters, “Every time we sign a contract, it’s to go to the last day of the contract. He added that the team signs deals because they believe in the process, yet he acknowledged the volatility of his profession by noting, “In life, nothing is sure. Less in football.” US Soccer brought him back through 2030, with both sides expressing a mutual belief and commitment towards not only brightening the fortunes of the US men but also overhauling the federation’s approach towards youth development. Only to be sure that we are going to receive a salary at the end of the month. In short, there are no shortage of reasons for him to leave the US.
The USMNT is currently preparing for upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti in Cincinnati and Miami, marking the start of their 2030 qualifying cycle. Pochettino is set to speak with the media this Friday.
Pochettino’s desire for a move stems from his persistent interest in the Premier League. He has frequently mentioned his ambition to manage in the world’s top leagues and “build a project with the possibility of winning.” In late 2025, he told the BBC that he missed the English game and hoped to return one day. Known for his tactical rigor and hands-on man management, he also maintains a personal residence in London and holds the country’s football culture in high regard. He spoke to Sky Sports about the idea of winning the league and “building a project with the possibility of winning”, as recently as September. According to in late 2025 he, Much the same, telling the BBC he believed the league was the best in the world and adding “of course I am missing it.
Should the US federation be forced to seek a replacement, it would not be without a contingency strategy. Before appointing Pochettino, the organization explored several high-profile options, including current Germany manager Jürgen Klopp. Potential domestic candidates could include U-23 head coach Steve Cherundolo or Nashville SC’s BJ Callaghan, the latter having recently led his club to a record-breaking points total.
A transition now could theoretically benefit the USMNT by allowing a successor ample time to manage the remainder of the four-year cycle, while simultaneously netting the federation a significant payout. Any departure for Pochettino would almost certainly involve his core inner circle. His assistant Jesús Pérez has worked alongside him for 16 years, dating back to 2010 at Espanyol. The bond extends to other long-term staff, including Miki D’Agostino and goalkeeper coach Toni Jiménez, who have remained with the Argentine throughout his stints at Southampton, Tottenham, PSG, and Chelsea. From La Liga side Espanyol in 2010 to stops at Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, PSG and Chelsea in the 15 years that followed, pérez has served alongside Pochettino at every stop in his coaching career. There is no better time for Pochettino to depart; doing so now would allow an incoming coach the majority of a four-year cycle to work with and the federation itself would earn millions just months after Pochettino could’ve departed for free, in some respects. In particular his second-in-command, Jesús Pérez, pochettino enjoys an unusually close relationship with his assistants.
