Mauricio Pochettino revealed that deciding to step down as head coach of the USA national team to take charge of Manchester United was “one of the most difficult” choices of his managerial career.
The 54-year-old Argentine broke down in tears during his first press conference since his move to Old Trafford was finalized on Friday. He expressed gratitude to the US Soccer Federation for their support during his tenure.
“It’s difficult to talk now,” Pochettino expressed during the press conference. “I’m a very emotional guy. It’s a very sad decision. But we are professionals and we are trying to make our dreams come true.”
Pochettino had only signed a new four-year contract with the USA national side in the summer. When questioned about accepting United’s approach so soon after committing his future to the American team, he explained that an opportunity of this magnitude was simply too significant to pass up.
“I never said I wanted to go back but they know there aren’t too many opportunities that happen in your career like Manchester United,” Pochettino noted. “When it arrives, it’s difficult to turn down.”
To secure Pochettino’s services alongside his coaching team, United paid a release clause around £7.4m to break his existing deal with US Soccer, along with an additional payout for his backroom staff. He has agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Premier League club. Before officially relocating to England, he will oversee the USA national team for their upcoming fixtures against Haiti on 14 and 18 November.
Pochettino steps in to succeed Michael Carrick, who was dismissed on Thursday following United’s worst start to a league season in 40 years. The club currently sits 18th in the Premier League table, just one point clear of bottom-placed Sunderland, having managed only a single win across their opening 10 matches. Which has left them languishing in 18th place in the Premier League, carrick was sacked on Thursday after United’s worst start to a domestic campaign in 40 years.
The newly appointed manager will take charge of Manchester United for the first time on 22 November, when his side travels to face Liverpool in a high-profile away fixture.
