Manchester United face $10m buyout to prise Pochettino from USMNT role

Manchester United are facing a buyout bill of at least $10 million if they move to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager, with the Argentine emerging as a frontrunner to replace Michael Carrick should the embattled United boss be dismissed.

According to The Athletic, that figure covers only Pochettino’s personal release clause from his contract with the US men’s national team. The total cost would rise further because the contracts of his assistant coaches would also need to be bought out, adding several million dollars on top of the initial fee.

Pochettino signed a new deal with US Soccer in August, tying him to the programme through the 2030 World Cup after guiding the USMNT to a round of 16 finish at the 2026 tournament. Despite that commitment, multiple reports indicate he is now the preferred candidate for the Old Trafford vacancy.

Manchester United’s financial firepower means the buyout figure is unlikely to be a significant obstacle. Forbes values the club at $7.2 billion, ranking it the third most valuable football club in the world behind Real Madrid ($9.5 billion) and Barcelona ($7.5 billion). United executives, including minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, met in Monaco on 11 November to discuss Carrick’s future at the club.

Other names under consideration include Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte — all of whom have substantial Premier League or European experience and are currently without a club.

Pochettino’s appeal to United stems from a track record built across the top level of European football. He managed Southampton between 2013 and 2014 before a high-profile spell at Tottenham Hotspur that culminated in a Champions League final appearance in 2019. Stints at PSG and Chelsea followed, and he has previously spoken about his desire to return to the European club game. He has been linked to the United job on previous occasions, as well as a return to Spurs and a move to AC Milan.

United’s urgency is sharpened by their precarious league position. A club with 20 first division titles and three European Cups has not been relegated since 1974, but that prospect is no longer unthinkable given their current form.

Should Pochettino depart, US Soccer is expected to take its time identifying a replacement. With only friendlies against Haiti on the immediate horizon and a December fixture against Jamaica likely to serve as a development opportunity for fringe players, an interim coaching staff would be expected to manage the short-term calendar.