Man Utd make Pochettino decision as Romano reveals Carrick's fate
Fabrizio Romano reveals the latest on Mauricio Pochettino's imminent Man Utd appointment, Michael Carrick's departure, Unai Emery and the club's January transfer plans.
Man Utd prepare to sack Michael Carrick as Pochettino agreement reaches final stages
Romano reports that Manchester United are on the verge of appointing Mauricio Pochettino, with Michael Carrick's departure now virtually certain.
“Today we have the ‘Here We Go’ coming, because it's happening in the next few days, possibly hours. It's now a matter of time, but Manchester United will have their new head coach,” he declared on his YouTube channel.
“It's happening for Mauricio Pochettino to become the next Manchester United manager.
“Now it's time to wait for the formal steps. Man Utd have taken three, almost four days to work on everything: an internal review, discussions with the owner, talks with Mauricio Pochettino and talks with the American Federation.
“Now everything has to fall into place to make it happen. But we can say that it's all set for Michael Carrick to be sacked and leave Manchester United with immediate effect.
“There is almost no doubt about that. The decision is 99.9% made. We are just waiting for the final step, which is a formal communication.
“Personally, I think it's sad. It's sad to see Man Utd treating Michael Carrick like this. Carrick has taken two training sessions when he was already almost out of Manchester United.
“You can like or dislike him as a coach. You can have a positive or negative opinion of him, whatever you want. But Carrick did a very good job last season with Manchester United.
“This season has been very difficult for everyone, not just Carrick, but also the players, the directors and the transfer market. It's been a very difficult season for United, but you cannot forget what he did. He's also a United legend.
“To see these scenes every morning, with Carrick arriving at the training ground and taking training while, at the same time, the directors and owners are already talking to their new manager, doesn't feel great for Michael Carrick.
“Again, good luck to Carrick, who is expected to be sacked very, very soon. Man Utd are ready for Mauricio Pochettino.”
Unai Emery set to sign new Aston Villa contract after Man Utd interest
Romano also provides an update on Manchester United's pursuit of Unai Emery, confirming that the Aston Villa manager is now expected to commit his future to the club.
“Let's clarify a couple of things. First of all, just to close this managerial situation at Manchester United, I told you two weeks ago that Man Utd tried for Unai Emery, but it was not possible to proceed,” he added.
“Unai Emery is expected to sign a new contract at Aston Villa very soon. The agreement is very close, and I would say it's at the final stages.
“Emery will put pen to paper, and that's a message from Villa: we want to continue with you, we want to give you more money and we want to trust you for the future.
“It's also a message from Emery: I trust the project, I trust the club, I trust Roberto Olabe, I trust Damia Vidagany and all the people behind the scenes.
“Villa have also been signing new deals with Victor Lindelof and Ian Maatsen over recent days.
“Everything is therefore in position for Unai Emery to sign a new contract with Aston Villa, while Manchester United move forward with Mauricio Pochettino.”
Pochettino expected to take charge of USA's next two games before joining Man Utd
The timing of Pochettino's departure from the USMNT is becoming clearer, with an expectation that he will complete the current international break before moving to England.
“When will it happen? There is an expectation internally at the US men's national team that Mauricio Pochettino can complete this international break in charge of the USA and then travel to England to take over at Manchester United,” Romano said.
“Let's see if this will be the final verdict, but the expectation as of tonight is that Pochettino will be in charge of the next two games with the USA before joining Man Utd.
“This is also out of respect for the USMNT because, obviously, finding a solution now, with the games coming up over the next few days, would make it difficult to find another alternative.
“Pochettino is therefore ready to help with the next few games before signing with United.
“The agreement between Mauricio Pochettino, his lawyers and Manchester United is done. It has been verbally agreed, closed and completed.
“The contract, the staff and everything else are being finalised. Pochettino said yes in the afternoon, the contract was ready that evening, and now they are working on the formal steps.
“Carrick out, Pochettino in. Manchester United have also approached the US men's national team federation to discuss all the details surrounding the release clause.
“Obviously, United were made aware of Pochettino's release clause during their conversations with his representatives and lawyers. They know everything about the release clause, its value and all the other details.
“Manchester United are now ready to proceed.”
Man Utd must pay $10m to release Pochettino from USA contract
Romano explains the financial details of Pochettino's departure from the United States, including the additional costs involved in bringing members of his coaching staff to Old Trafford.
“Again, $10 million is the value of the release clause. In the event that Manchester United also want to bring some members of Mauricio Pochettino's staff, they will have to pay a little bit more,” he said.
“It's not a difference between $10m and $15m or $10m and $20m, but there will still be a little bit more money to pay to bring part of Pochettino's staff.
“Everything is therefore in place for Pochettino to become the new Manchester United manager.”
Pochettino views Man Utd job as the opportunity of a lifetime
Romano also explains why Pochettino has decided to leave the United States, despite being happy with his experience in international football and having recently committed to the project.
“I also wanted to return to two more points. First, what this means for Pochettino,” he continued.
“Pochettino will have the opportunity to speak about this because it's obviously not easy for him to say goodbye to the US men's national team. It was a fantastic experience for him.
“He was very happy with the environment, the players and the experience. He was very happy. The World Cup was very good.
“Pochettino signed a new contract because he trusted the project. But when Man Utd called, the feeling among those close to Pochettino was that when Manchester United call, you cannot say no.
“Pochettino feels this was the opportunity of a lifetime for him. He's very excited about this chance.
“First of all, think about his career. Imagine having managed Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, and now also having the chance to go to Manchester United in England. He's completing three fantastic jobs.
“It's a fantastic career for Mauricio Pochettino, but Manchester United also mean a lot to him.
“He has always admired Sir Alex Ferguson, so becoming the United manager is something very special to Pochettino.
“That's why he decided to say yes almost immediately when Manchester United called. He was already close to getting the job some time ago, and now the opportunity has arrived.”
Pochettino wants a say in Man Utd's January transfer plans
The new manager is expected to have an important role in Manchester United's recruitment strategy, with discussions about the January transfer window already forming part of the initial conversations.
“I also wanted to talk about January because, obviously, Pochettino is now going to be in a position where he has to lead the US national team over the next few days,” Romano continued.
“He has to work hard, but he also has to start thinking about United.
“United will be back for the Liverpool game. It's going to be tough. After a very difficult period, you return and play Liverpool, so it's not easy.
“Pochettino will have to focus on the US national team, Manchester United's plans and Manchester United's future.
“But in the first meetings he has with the club, they will discuss this. It's something they already mentioned during their initial contacts between Pochettino and United.
“They already said that very soon they would have specific meetings regarding the January transfer window.
“Pochettino is a manager who loves to be involved in the transfer strategy. He's not the kind of manager who says: 'Give me the players and I'll take care of them'.
“Pochettino is also very good at working with the players he already has. We have to be honest: he's a coach who, especially at Tottenham, showed that he can do very good things with players without constantly changing the squad.
“But, at the same time, Pochettino likes to be involved. He likes to have his say.
“In this case, I expect Pochettino to be involved at Man Utd because they need to change. They need to do something in January.
“It could be two players, three players or one. I don't know. We will see.
“But United will sign players in January. I can guarantee that because that's part of the club's strategy, regardless of who the manager is.
“Now, with Pochettino, who is a manager who likes to be involved, I think this is going to be the direction of travel.
“It's an important part of the story and something we have to keep a close eye on because many Manchester United fans are waiting for updates and signings.”
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