Manchester United is reportedly preparing to pay $10m to secure Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager, according to Sky Sports News.
The pursuit of the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss comes as the club hierarchy prepares to decide the future of Michael Carrick. The move suggests leadership may change, sparking debate over the club's decision-making process and the perceived lack of stability under current ownership.
Sky Sports News reported that United has reached an agreement with the US National team to replace Carrick with Pochettino. This development asks why the club is paying a fee for a manager whose contract with the USA expired in July, when he could have potentially been available for nothing.
“I’m just intrigued to know who at Manchester United is really pushing for Pochettino to get the job,” Kaveh Solhekol told Sky Sports News.
The Pochettino track record
Pochettino’s career history presents a complex picture for a club seeking immediate stability. He has demonstrated the ability to motivate squads, but his trophy cabinet lacks the consistent silverware expected at Old Trafford.
During his tenure at Tottenham, he reached a Champions League final but did not win a trophy in five seasons. His time at PSG saw him win the French Cup, yet he was eventually sacked despite the club’s dominance in Ligue 1. At Chelsea, he lasted only one season, finishing sixth in the Premier League.
Comparisons are already being drawn between Pochettino and other available candidates with more established domestic success in England. Some analysts suggest that figures like Eddie Howe, who won a domestic trophy with Newcastle United, or Antonio Conte, a Premier League winner with Chelsea, offer more proven credentials.
| Manager | Notable Achievement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Eddie Howe | Domestic trophy winner | Newcastle United |
| Antonio Conte | Premier League winner | Chelsea (first season) |
| Mauricio Pochettino | Champions League finalist | Tottenham Hotspur |
Dual ownership layers complicate Manchester United governance
The potential appointment highlights the complicated governance at Manchester United. While Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS oversee football operations, the Glazer family maintains a large ownership stake and must approve major decisions.
This dual-layered control has led to criticism regarding the club’s ability to implement long-term change. If Pochettino is appointed, he will be the fourth manager the club has employed in three seasons, a cycle of turnover that Ratcliffe previously identified as a primary issue to be corrected.
“Since Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United, if United were to fire Carrick and hire Mauricio Pochettino, they will have spent more than £100m hiring and firing managers,” Dave Reed said in a report for Sky Sports News.
The human element of this transition is also under scrutiny. There is growing concern regarding the treatment of Michael Carrick, a former player described as “Manchester United through and through.” The optics of senior executives traveling to Monaco to finalize a replacement while Carrick remains in post have been characterized by some as a “shameful” way to handle a club icon.
The decision-making authority remains a point of contention among the fanbase. Questions persist about whether the push for Pochettino originates from the Glazer family, the INEOS group, or the executive team consisting of Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox.
“Why are you letting Carrick suffer in public?” Dave Reed asked Sky Sports News.
These managerial shifts involve high financial stakes, but the reputational cost of perceived instability may be even higher. As the club moves closer to a definitive decision, the focus remains on whether this appointment represents a genuine structural fix or merely another expensive attempt to find a solution to a deep-seated problem.
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