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"United have always been on my radar. But the right circumstances to take charge there never quite came together," Mauricio Pochettino told FourFourTwo magazine in an interview several months back.
Now, more than a decade into that story, everything has finally fallen into place.
Manchester United announced the dismissal of Michael Carrick on Thursday. The club made clear its appreciation for Carrick's contributions during his interim spell the previous season, steering the Red Devils to 12 victories in 17 matches and securing a return to the Champions League.
However, a thorough review of the head coach's role ultimately concluded that, following a surprisingly dismal start to the 2026–27 campaign, a squad with far greater quality than their 18th-place Premier League standing suggested was in need of a new voice and fresh direction.
Pochettino was approached before the decision on Carrick was made official, seemingly to ensure that United would not be left without a manager even briefly.
The Argentine made his mark at Southampton upon arriving in England, before guiding Tottenham Hotspur to three consecutive top-three finishes—including the club's highest league position in 54 years and their sole appearance in a Champions League final.
His stint at Paris Saint-Germain proved difficult, as he struggled to navigate the superstar-driven culture that would later be identified as a key obstacle to the club's progress, before clashing with Chelsea's sporting leadership during a turbulent season. That experience at Stamford Bridge must have weighed heavily on Pochettino's mind when evaluating United's offer, as he would have needed assurance that he was stepping into a structure he could operate and flourish within. He is clearly convinced.
The United States men's national team fell short of expectations at the summer's home World Cup, disappointing both Pochettino and the American public. Nevertheless, U.S. Soccer had seen enough from the 54-year-old since his 2024 appointment to extend his second contract well beyond simply managing the senior men's side, enlisting him to shape strategy and contribute to the long-term development of the sport across the nation.