Mauricio Pochettino will step down as head coach of the United States men’s national team to take the job at English Premier League side Manchester United, as it was confirmed on Friday.
Both sides announced the news after the Red Devils triggered the 54-year-old’s release clause, which is $10 million. He has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to return to club soccer.
Before heading back to England, Pochettino will be on the sidelines for the United States as they play in their CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals games against Haiti on Nov. 14 and 17. U.S. Under-23 head coach Steve Cherundolo will take over the December camp.
A highly renowned coach, the Argentine was appointed head coach of the USMNT in September 2024 to replace Gregg Berhalter. During his time, he guided the team to the final of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He will be mostly remembered for taking the team to the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in which the team finished first in its group and won a knockout game.
The former Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea coach had extended his contract with the U.S. in August through to the 2030 World Cup.
“We want to thank Cindy Parlow Cone, JT Batson and Dan Helfrich for their partnership and incredible working relationships throughout our time here,” Pochettino said in a statement. “There is tremendous talent in the U.S. player pool from the youth teams through to the senior team, and it’s one of the reasons we have so much belief for the future of U.S. Soccer. You will always have a special place in our hearts, and we will be supporting the teams whenever they step on the field.”
U.S. Soccer has not named a replacement for Pochettino. In a press release, U.S. women’s national team coach Emma Hayes will be among those involved in the search, along with U.S. Soccer federation leadership, including CEO and Secretary General JT Batson, COO Dan Helfrich, and VP for Sporting Oguchi Onyewu.
Pochettino will take up coaching duties at Manchester United on Nov. 18.
