Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly close to agreeing a two-and-a-half-year contract to become Manchester United’s new manager following the dismissal of Michael Carrick.
According to reports, an agreement has been reached with the Argentine over a deal that would keep him at Old Trafford until 2029.
However, Pochettino is expected to remain in charge of the United States national team for their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti on Saturday and next Tuesday before travelling to Manchester.
US Soccer is understood to have accepted his departure, with the federation set to receive $10 million in compensation for Pochettino and an additional $2 million for the departure of his coaching staff.
Manchester United dismissed Carrick on Thursday following a disappointing start to the Premier League season, with the club reportedly winning just one of their opening 10 matches and languishing in the relegation zone.
Carrick, a former United midfielder who won several trophies during Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure, became the seventh permanent manager to leave the club since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
Pochettino brings considerable Premier League experience, having previously managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. He also had a spell at Paris Saint-Germain before taking charge of the United States national team.
He guided the US to the last 16 of the World Cup earlier this year and subsequently signed a contract extension that was expected to keep him in charge until the 2030 tournament.
Meanwhile, one of Pochettino’s immediate challenges could involve the future of club captain Bruno Fernandes, who is reportedly reluctant to accept a second contract offer from United.
The club, however, has an option to extend the Portuguese midfielder’s current deal until the end of the 2027/2028 season, preventing him from negotiating with other clubs in January.
Manchester United are scheduled to face fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.