How much Man Utd must pay to release Pochettino from USMNT contract
Manchester United have reportedly identified Mauricio Pochettino as the best solution for the post-Michael Carrick era, but he remains tied to the USMNT.
With the club sitting in the relegation zone, Director of Football Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada have decided to act, taking advantage of the November international break to ring changes in the dugout.
While we’re still awaiting official confirmation, the most reliable sources in the media are all expecting Carrick to be sacked in the coming hours.
Man Utd need £7.5 million to activate Pochettino’s release clause
In recent weeks, Eddie Howe was considered the ultimate favourite to replace Carrick, whenever the management decides to wield the axe. The 48-year-old is English, has a solid track record, and most importantly, available, having left Newcastle in July.
However, the last few days witnessed an unexpected twist, with Pochettino suddenly emerging as the favourite, despite having recently signed a contract extension that should, in theory, keep him at the USMNT’s helm until the 2030 World Cup.
However, it has been revealed that the Argentine’s deal with the American national team includes a release clause.
According to The Athletic, the 54-year-old can free himself from his current contract by paying $10 million (or circa £7.5 million).
Interestingly, the former Southampton and Spurs manager had expressed his desire to fulfil his contract obligation until the very end, but also left the door open to a different scenario.
“We really signed that contract because we really believe that we can arrive to the end,” said Pochettino. “But in life, nothing is sure. Less in football.”
Is Mauricio Pochettino the right profile for Man United?
Southampton and Tottenham both reached the pinnacle of their success during the Premier League era when the Argentine was in charge.
On the contrary, he had a forgettable experience at Paris Saint-Germain, followed by a brief, unsuccessful tenure at Chelsea.
However, his shortcomings at Stamford Bridge shouldn’t be held against him, as several other top managers failed to find success at the capital club in recent years.
Based on his experience and previous EPL success, it’s easy to see why Man Utd have identified Pochettino as the right man for the job. Like Carrick, he has a calm demeanour about him, but unlike the current MUFC boss, he can be authoritative and cut-throat when required.
The next few hours should determine whether the Argentine can be a viable option for the free-falling giants.
