Pochettino exits USMNT for Manchester United

Mauricio Pochettino will stop managing the U.S. men's national team after two final matches against Haiti this week. He joins Manchester United next week, ending a tenure that began in August 2024. The move was facilitated by a $10 million buyout clause included in his four-year contract with U.S. Soccer.

Pochettino arrived in Atlanta for the international break on Sunday. His departure had been anticipated for months. He previously turned down other offers to stay with the U.S., but his desire to return to the Premier League remained strong. The United position became available after the previous manager's exit, a common pattern among elite coaches seeking a change of pace after high-pressure European roles.

At a press conference at the U.S. Soccer national training center on Friday, Pochettino spoke about the difficulty of leaving. He noted that he views football as a context of emotions. "The human being is in front of everything," he said. "That is why that is a really difficult decision, but we need to move forward. But a big thank you from my heart."

Players expressed mixed feelings about the change. Forward Folarin Balogun said the team had found a clear identity under Pochettino. "We have a clear sense of identity, we have a clear playing style," Balogun said. "Whenever you have a top coach, you'd want him to stay." Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who credits the manager for his development, said Pochettino believed in him from day one. "He's helped me develop as a player and as a person," Berhalter said.

Pochettino's two years with the U.S. team saw a mix of results. He did not lead the team to a World Cup quarterfinal. Some supporters questioned his methods during a period of trial and error. However, he raised the team's standards and restored motivation after a disappointing Copa America exit. He described the job as a reset after his departure from Chelsea, where he had initiated his own exit despite a promising start.

U.S. Soccer has time to find a replacement. The next World Cup is just under four years away. The team will play Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals on Saturday and Tuesday. Pochettino will watch both games from the bench before moving to England. He said the decision was one of the most difficult in his career, noting that he learned a lot from the country and its people.

The manager emphasized transparency with the federation. "You always were transparent and always you put in front the interests of the federation," he said. "But always trying to build something together and we really enjoyed." He left without a formal farewell tour, relying on the final two matches to provide a natural conclusion to his time in charge.