Mauricio Pochettino broke down in tears and admitted he chose to leave the United States Manchester United it was “the hardest decision of my career.”
The Argentine has accepted the role at Old Trafford and will replace Michael Carrick, who was sacked on Thursday. with United in the Premier League relegation zone having won one of their first 10 games.
But he admitted he was leaving the U.S. Soccer Federation with a heavy heart after two years in charge of the national team.
“The staff and the players, I want to thank you for the last two years,” he said. “You made me so happy by sharing a great project. Now I’m struggling to finish it.
“We were very excited to share a project that we really believe in and we are evolving together, it makes the decision more difficult. It is a sad decision but we are professionals, and we have to try to find the next step to make your dreams come true.
“I have not prepared any speech, I speak from the heart, we have recovered the motivation and the ability to go deeper.
“I want to recognize the value of us and me. Thank you very much. You respect your work. You never lie to us. This is a difficult decision, but we must move forward.”
You usually cry because you’re sacked, says incoming United boss Pochettino
Pochettino rallied and joked: “It’s not an easy decision. Usually it’s the other way around. Usually you cry because you want to stay but it’s the opposite. We’re excited about the step forward but it’s a moment of commitment because we care and we always will.”
“We have to focus on the next two games because they are important. The players are amazing. The situation is not ideal. But in life, football moves fast. We have to move forward to keep this relationship and the memories we share.”
“It’s hard to talk now. I’m a very emotional guy. It’s a very sad decision. It’s the hardest decision of my career.”
“But we’re professionals and we’re trying to make our dreams come true.”
The 54-year-old’s last two games in charge will be the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final tie against Haiti. The first game is in Miami on Friday night and the second in Cincinnati on Tuesday.
“This week we have time to talk about the job in Manchester, but I think it’s much better to talk about us, about US soccer. We have two games ahead of us and now we’ll focus on that,” he said, before explaining what he said to the squad.
“When things start to get big and big, the players are very sensitive,” he added. “We were talking to the federation and yesterday, when the agreement was reached, we had a meeting and I communicated with the players. They were very supportive. U.S. Soccer and Manchester United agreed that we will continue (for this international hiatus), and that will not change our commitment.”
Pochettino signed a new four-year deal with US Soccer in August but admitted the opportunity to manage United was too big to turn down.
“I never said I wanted to come back (to England) but they know there aren’t too many opportunities in your career like Manchester United,” he said. “When it comes, it’s hard to refuse.
“When we all decided to extend our commitment, it was a commitment for the federation, just in case. We were very committed. It was to help the federation, just in case this didn’t work for four years.”
Pochettino will have little time to prepare for United’s clash with Liverpool
Pochettino will fly to England next Wednesday and will have little time with his new squad ahead of his first game in charge on Sunday week at Liverpool.
Asked why he didn’t move to United straight away, he said: “Before we’re professionals we’re people. The emotional bond we’ve built between us in these two years is about showing commitment and respect and care and love even if we make a decision that, on one hand, might not be the best.
“We were open, you know, because I think we have the respect of the players and the staff, and they understand the situation.
“If Manchester United and the federation were to agree different terms, I would have to respect the agreement, but that has happened and of course every game is important.”
United have agreed to pay Pochettino’s £7.4m release clause to make him Carrick’s successor at Old Trafford.
A statement from the club was read on Friday morning: “Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become Manchester United’s men’s head coach from 18 November.
“The club has reached an agreement with the U.S. Soccer Federation for Mauricio and his staff to be released following the conclusion of his responsibilities with the U.S. Men’s National Team.”
United hope Pochettino will inspire improvement
Pochettino will be tasked with improving a United side that has made the club’s worst start to a season since 1986.
The United statement added: “The Argentine is known for his high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong and cohesive teams and his excellent track record of developing individual players.
“Pochettino has consistently been at the highest level of football in various leagues. He began his career as a manager with Espanyol in 2009 before joining Southampton and achieving a Premier League points record in 2014.
“During five full seasons at Tottenham Hotspur, Pochettino established the club as a regular Champions League contender, securing qualification in four consecutive seasons and taking the club to their first final of the competition in 2019.
“In 2021 he joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Ligue 1 title, the French Cup and the Trophée des Champions before joining Chelsea in 2023.
“Most recently he led the United States men’s national team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup.”
U.S. Soccer boss hails Pochettino’s departure
Pochettino leaves the United States with the endorsement of chief executive and general secretary JT Batson after a two-year spell in which he won 21 and drew two of his 35 games in charge.
Batson told ussoccer.com: “Mauricio has left a lasting mark on U.S. Soccer through his leadership, professionalism and commitment to our players and culture.
“What we are most proud of goes beyond the wins. He and his staff raised standards, strengthened our culture and created clearer connections from the youth national teams to the senior team. These changes are now embedded in the way we operate, and we will continue to build on them as we pursue sustained success on the world stage.”
United also hope Pochettino can follow the club’s traditions of bringing in young players, as he has done for the United States with 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan and 17-year-old Mathis Albert getting their first goals in impressive recent wins against Chile and Mexico.
Pochettino will be followed at United by his long-time assistant Jesus Perez and the rest of his staff.
What now for the US?
Steve Cherundolo will lead the camp scheduled for December as the process to find a new head coach begins, led by US Soccer’s leadership team that includes Emma Hayes and former USMNT defender Oguchi Onyewu.
Batson added, “With the great combination of veterans, fantastic young talent and a world-class facility, we are confident in the future of this program.
“We are looking for a leader with the talent, experience and belief to match our ambition, build on the existing culture and path, and help the USMNT take the next step.”
