Man Utd Pull the Trigger on Pochettino Amid Swirling Concerns Over His Red Flags

Manchester United have officially appointed Mauricio Pochettino as the club's new manager effective Wednesday, Nov. 18, marking the Argentine's return to the Premier League dugout for the first time since May 2024.

The Red Devils fired up their managerial merry-go-round once again following a disastrous spell under Michael Carrick, who was dismissed on Thursday after a woeful run that saw the club claim just three victories across all competitions in the 2026–27 season so far.

There was no shortage of blame for United's struggles—Lisandro Martínez pointed the finger at Jason Wilcox, club legends targeted the players, and Bruno Fernandes laid responsibility at the feet of the entire coaching staff—but it was Carrick who ultimately paid the price.

For the eighth time since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013, United returned to square one in search of a permanent manager capable of restoring the club to the standards and glory achieved under the iconic Scotsman.

Pochettino swiftly emerged as the leading candidate during the early stages of the November international break and eventually penned a two-and-a-half year deal, all while still guiding the U.S. men's national team through the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.

Pochettino Boasts Impressive Triumphs and Glaring Red Flags

Pochettino arrives at Old Trafford with a wealth of Premier League know-how, something Carrick notably lacked from a managerial standpoint. The new appointment spent more than five years in north London, guiding the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min at Tottenham Hotspur.

Beyond nurturing those two stars, Pochettino's crowning achievement was steering an overperforming Spurs side to their first and only Champions League final in 2019, where they were ultimately beaten by Liverpool. He also deserves credit for the consistency and stability he instilled at Tottenham—a feat that appears increasingly remarkable with the passage of time.

Following a short stint at Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino returned to the English top flight for a turbulent season at Chelsea. He clashed with the club's hierarchy, suffered defeat in the 2024 Carabao Cup final, and presided over the Blues' worst Premier League defensive record in the modern era.

Then there's the question of silverware. Pochettino failed to win a single trophy at either Spurs or Chelsea. His only honors came at PSG, where he had Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé wreaking havoc in Ligue 1.

Now, Pochettino inherits a broken, defensively vulnerable United side, overseen by a front office with a hair-trigger and questionable transfer judgment. Turning the Red Devils around—or simply avoiding becoming another casualty of England's most unforgiving managerial carousel—will be the defining challenge of his career.

U.S. Soccer Left Chasing a Replacement

Beyond Carrick, the biggest casualty of Pochettino's Premier League return is the USMNT. The Stars and Stripes have gone from embarking on a promising new chapter under the 54-year-old to scrambling for his successor with virtually no warning.

U.S. Soccer had only just tied Pochettino down to a fresh four-year deal back in August, securing the Argentine's commitment through the 2030 World Cup. The outlook had appeared wonderfully promising for the USMNT, particularly after stringing together four consecutive wins following their round of 16 exit at last summer's tournament.

Pochettino had become deeply embedded in the fabric of U.S. soccer. He took on a more hands-on role with the nation's youth setup, appointed Tyler Adams as his new captain, and began shaping a revamped squad blending experienced veterans with exciting emerging talent. But United came calling, and that opportunity took precedence over everything Pochettino had been constructing on the international stage.

Now, U.S. Soccer must pick up the pieces and identify a new manager worthy of stepping into Pochettino's shoes. The federation reportedly considers former Manchester City and Barcelona head coach Pep Guardiola its "top target" to lead the Stars and Stripes into a new chapter.

Other candidates include B.J. Callaghan, who just guided Nashville SC to a record-setting MLS regular season, and USMNT U-23 boss Steve Cherundolo. The federation has several months to reach a decision before competitive fixtures resume in March.

Given the rapid turnover of managers at Old Trafford, it remains to be seen whether Pochettino will even still be in charge four months from now.