Man Utd close in on deal for Mauricio Pochettino after sacking Michael Carrick
The former Red Devils midfielder was dismissed on Thursday morning after United’s worst start to a season since 1986.
Manchester United are working to finalise a deal to appoint United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino after sacking Michael Carrick.
The former Red Devils midfielder was dismissed on Thursday morning as confirmation finally arrived of what had been an open secret since the start of the week.
Carrick led United to third place last season, having stepped in following Ruben Amorim’s acrimonious January exit, but the head coach paid the price for overseeing the club’s worst start to a campaign since 1986.
Sunday’s wild 4-4 draw with Aston Villa leaves them in the relegation zone and the 18th-placed side are now working to wrap up a deal to bring Pochettino back to the Premier League.
A framework had already been established for the former Argentina international’s appointment, with talks understood to be progressing between the Old Trafford club and Pochettino’s employers US Soccer.
Pochettino has a release clause – worth a reported 10million US dollars (£7.4m) – and the relevant parties are seeking to provide clarity before the USA’s Nations League quarter-final first leg against Haiti on Saturday.
The ex-Tottenham, Paris St Germain and Chelsea boss is due to face the media at a press conference nominally previewing that game in Miami on Friday at 2.15pm UK time.
Pochettino is expected to oversee the first leg in Miami and next Tuesday’s second leg in in Cincinnati, Ohio, with United returning to action a week on Sunday at rivals Liverpool.