Pep Guardiola leads United States' chase as Pochettino moves to United
Mauricio Pochettino is on the verge of becoming Manchester United's new manager, after the club confirmed Michael Carrick's dismissal on Thursday. Manchester United sit 18th in the Premier League, inside the relegation zone. The Argentine would leave his United States (Estados Unidos) contract, which runs to 2030, via a release clause.
Pochettino's United appointment
United would need to pay roughly nine million dollars to release him, a sum that could rise if his staff join. The United States federation has named Pep Guardiola as its leading candidate to replace Pochettino should he depart. Guardiola is currently unemployed after leaving Manchester City at the end of May, ending a ten‑year spell at the English club.
He left Manchester City in mid‑2026 intending to take a year’s sabbatical for family reasons. Earlier in 2026 he turned down an approach from the Italian national team, a decision explained by federation president Giovanni Malagò as a family‑driven break.
Guardiola as US candidate
Guardiola spent a year in New York after leaving Barcelona in 2012, living with his family away from professional pressures. During that New York stay he improved his English and remained there until 2013 before joining Bayern Munich. He has previously spoken with the United States federation, meaning his name has been linked to the role before the current speculation. In 2024 the federation also consulted Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp before appointing Pochettino.
The United States will face Haiti in the CONCACAF Nations League (Liga de Naciones) quarter‑finals on 14 and 17 November, a key fixture in international Fútbol with Pochettino slated to coach those matches. Sources told The Athletic on 11 November that Guardiola would be the federation’s top target if the US coach leaves for United.
Financial and logistical considerations
The federation intends to hire a coach with international pedigree to lead the next cycle. Convincing Guardiola may prove difficult because he has not taken a coaching role since his sabbatical began. Guardiola has said he would train a national side if given the opportunity, reaffirming a long‑standing ambition. In a 2018 interview he repeated that he would gladly coach a national team.
He described the United States as a “fascinating” country for a long‑term project in a 2024 press conference. The US federation has not yet made a formal offer to Guardiola. Olé reported on the speculation surrounding Guardiola’s possible appointment.
The photo credit reads Martin Rickett/PA via AP. Guardiola was spotted at the PSG versus Manchester United match.