Manchester United appoint Mauricio Pochettino as head coach amid Premier League crisis

Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed head coach of Manchester United, with the Argentine tasked with reviving the club's struggling Premier League campaign following the dismissal of Michael Carrick.

Pochettino, who has left his position as head coach of the United States men's national team, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and will officially take charge on November 18.

United reached an agreement with the US Soccer Federation for the release of the 54-year-old manager and his coaching staff after they completed their international responsibilities.

The appointment follows a difficult start to the 2026-27 Premier League season, which has left the English giants facing the threat of relegation.

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸'𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀

Carrick had taken over as interim manager in January 2026 following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

He initially enjoyed considerable success, guiding United to a third-place Premier League finish and securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

Those achievements earned the former United midfielder a three-year contract as permanent manager.

However, the club's fortunes deteriorated sharply during the new campaign. United have collected only eight points from their opening 10 league matches, registering one victory, five draws and four defeats.

The club currently occupies 18th place in the Premier League standings, with a goal difference of minus five.

A 4-4 draw against Aston Villa before the November international break further highlighted United's defensive difficulties.

𝗣𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗼'𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻

Pochettino brings extensive experience of English football, having previously managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

He began his managerial career at Espanyol in 2009 before moving to Southampton in 2013, where his high-intensity pressing approach attracted attention.

His most prominent spell came at Tottenham between 2014 and 2019, when he established the London club as regular contenders for Champions League qualification.

Under his leadership, Tottenham reached the 2019 UEFA Champions League final, where they lost to Liverpool.

Pochettino subsequently managed Paris Saint-Germain, winning the French Ligue 1 title, before returning to England for the 2023-24 season with Chelsea.

His latest appointment marks another return to the Premier League, this time with the challenge of restoring stability to one of English football's most prominent clubs.

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘀

Pochettino's first major challenge will come against arch-rivals Liverpool on November 21, when United travel to Anfield for a crucial Premier League encounter.

The Argentine faces the immediate task of improving results, addressing defensive weaknesses and lifting United out of the relegation zone.

His arrival also brings an opportunity to reshape the team's playing style and restore confidence after a disappointing opening phase of the season.

With United already trailing their rivals in the league standings, Pochettino will have little time to settle into his new role before facing one of English football's fiercest rivalries.