Manchester United sack Carrick as Pochettino nears
AM730 · 4 SOURCESabout 5 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Manchester United announced on Thursday that they had dismissed manager Michael Carrick after a start of 10 league matches with only one win left the club in the bottom three. Reports across several outlets said Mauricio Pochettino, currently coaching the United States national team, is set to replace him and has either become the leading candidate or reached a verbal or principle-based understanding to take the job. One report said United had already contacted the U.S. Soccer Federation and were prepared to pay US$10 million in compensation, plus another US$2 million to hire Pochettino’s coaching staff. U.S. players, meanwhile, said Pochettino remained focused on their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final ties against Haiti even as his departure appeared increasingly likely
Key Points
- United formally dismissed Carrick on Thursday after their worst opening since the 1986-87 season, with one win from 10 Premier League matches
- Before the dismissal, United chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox reportedly met minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday
- am730 reported the club then planned a meeting with Carrick at Carrington on Thursday, where the dismissal was expected to be confirmed
- Reports said United had approached U.S. Soccer over Pochettino, whose contract with the national team runs through the 2030 World Cup.
- ESPN sources cited by am730 said United were ready to pay US$10 million in compensation and US$2 million for Pochettino’s backroom staff
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong football fans, the immediate consequence is that one of the world’s most followed clubs could change direction in mid-season, with a high-profile coach potentially arriving before a major trip to Liverpool. The move also affects the United States national team, because reports said Pochettino was still expected to lead the Americans in two Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti before leaving.