Mauricio Pochettino’s contract buyout with U.S. Soccer sits at approximately $10 million, positioning the national team head coach as a candidate should Manchester United make a change at head coach.
Manchester United Leadership Eyes Pochettino
Manchester United is expected to fire Michael Carrick following a start to the campaign that has left the club 18th in the Premier League with one win in 10 matches, according to ESPN. United’s executive hierarchy—including co-chairman Joel Glazer, minority owner Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox—has discussed Carrick’s position during meetings in Monaco.
While former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, out-of-work coach Julian Nagelsmann, and Kieran McKenna have also drawn internal interest, Pochettino is regarded by club bosses as having the Premier League experience and personality needed to revive the club’s fortunes.
The $10 Million Release Clause and U.S. Soccer Terms
Securing Pochettino’s services would require Manchester United to trigger a buyout clause in the ballpark of $10 million. Recruiting his assistant coaches, who have followed him from job to job for more than a decade, would demand millions more in compensation to the American federation.
🚨 MANCHESTER UNITED CONSIDERS FIRING MICHAEL CARRICK — USMNT COACH MAURICIO POCHETTINO EMERGES AS REPLACEMENT Manchester United could be preparing another managerial shakeup, and the potential consequences extend directly to American soccer. United sits 18th in the Premier…
Pochettino extended his agreement with U.S. Soccer until 2030 in August following a run to the round of 16 at the World Cup this summer. Speaking about his commitment upon returning to the post, Pochettino emphasized his intent to honor long-term commitments while acknowledging the volatile nature of the sport.
Every time we sign a contract, it’s to go to the last day of the contract, If we sign a four-year contract, we need to think to arrive there. And we signed the contract because we really believe that we are going to be four years there. Because if not, it’s bad. If we don’t believe in that process, if we don’t believe in that journey, why (would) we sign four years? Only to be sure that we are going to receive a salary on the end of the month? That is not nice. It’s not the way that we think. We really signed that contract because we really believe that we can arrive to the end.
Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT Head Coach
He added: But in life, nothing is sure. Less in football.
Squad Preparation Ahead of Concacaf Matches
Amid swirling speculation regarding his future at Old Trafford, Pochettino is currently at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, Ga., with his USMNT squad. He is preparing for Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti scheduled for Saturday in Miami and next Tuesday in Cincinnati.
Since the 2026 World Cup has integrated 13 previously uncapped players for the September-October window, overseeing an undefeated four-game streak as the program transitions into the 2030 cycle.
