Mauricio Pochettino broke down in tears and admitted opting to leave the United States for Manchester United was “one of the most difficult decisions in my career”.
The Argentine has accepted the role at Old Trafford and will replace Michael Carrick, who was sacked on Thursday with United in the Premier League relegation zone having won one of their first 10 games.
But he conceded he was leaving the US Soccer Federation with a heavy heart after two years in charge of the national team.
“The staff and the players, I want to say thank you so much for the last two years,” he said. “You made me feel really happy sharing an amazing project. It’s difficult now for me to finish.
“We were very excited to share a project which we really believe in and are evolving together, it makes the decision harder. It’s a sad decision but we are professionals, and we need to try to find the next step to make your dreams come true.
“I didn’t prepare a speech; I am talking from the heart. We recovered our motivation and the capacity to dig deep.
“I want to recognise the value from us and me. Big thank you. You respect your work. You never lie to us. This is a difficult decision but we need to move forward.”
Normally you cry because you are sacked, says incoming United boss Pochettino
Pochettino gathered himself and joked: “It’s not an easy decision. Normally it’s the opposite. Normally, you cry because you want to stay but it’s the opposite. We are excited for the step forward but it’s a moment for commitment because we care and we always will.
“We need to focus on the next two games because they’re important. The players are amazing. The situation is not ideal. But in life, football moves quickly. We need to move forward to keep that relationship and the memories we shared.”
The 54-year-old’s final two games in charge will be the two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final tie against Haiti. The first game is in Miami on Friday night and the second in Cincinnati on Tuesday.
“We have time this week to talk about the job in Manchester but I think it’s much better to talk about us, about US Soccer. We have two games ahead and now it’s focus on this,” he said, before explaining what he said to the squad.
“When things start to become big and big, players are very sensitive,” he added. “We were talking with the federation and yesterday, when the agreement was reached, we had a meeting and I communicated with the players. They were very supportive. US Soccer and Manchester United agreed we would continue [for this international break], and that will not change our commitment.”
Pochettino signed a new, four-year deal with US Soccer in August but admitted the chance to manage United was too big to turn down.
“I never said I wanted to go back [to England] but they know there aren’t too many opportunities that happen in your career like Manchester United,” he said. “When it arrives, it’s difficult to turn down.
“When we decided together to extend our commitment, it was a commitment for the federation, just in case. We were very committed. It was to help the federation, just in case that didn’t work for four years.”
Pochettino will have little time to prepare for United’s clash with Liverpool
Pochettino will fly to England next Wednesday and will have little time with his new squad prior to his first game in charge, at Liverpool a week on Sunday.
Asked why he didn’t move to United straight away, he said: “Before being professionals we are people. The emotional link between us that we built in these two years is to show the commitment and respect and the care and the love even if we took a decision that, for one party, is maybe not the best.
“We were open, you know, because I think we have the respect of the players and the staff, and they understand the situation.
“If Manchester United and the Federation agreed on different terms, I would need to respect the agreement, but this has happened and of course all the games are important.”
United have agreed to pay Pochettino’s release clause of £7.4million to make him the successor to Carrick at Old Trafford.
A club statement on Friday morning read: “Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become the Manchester United men’s head coach from 18 November.
“The club has reached an agreement with the US Soccer Federation for Mauricio and his staff to be released after the conclusion of their responsibilities with the US Men’s National Team.”
United hope Pochettino will inspire improvement
Pochettino will be tasked with improving a United side that has made the club’s worst start to a top-flight season since 1986.
The United statement added: “The Argentinian is renowned for his high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong, cohesive teams and his outstanding record of developing individual players.
“Pochettino has consistently performed at the highest level of football across multiple leagues. He began his coaching career with Espanyol in 2009 before joining Southampton and achieving a club-record Premier League points tally in 2014.
“During five full seasons at Tottenham Hotspur, Pochettino established the club as regular Champions League contenders, securing qualification in four consecutive seasons and leading the club to its first final in the competition in 2019.
“In 2021, he joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions before joining Chelsea in 2023.
“Most recently he led the US Men’s National Team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup.”
US Soccer chief hails departing Pochettino
Pochettino leaves the US with a ringing endorsement from CEO and Secretary General JT Batson after a two-year spell in which he won 21 and drew two of his 35 games in charge.
Batson told ussoccer.com: “Mauricio has left a lasting mark on US Soccer through his leadership, professionalism and commitment to our players and culture
“What we are most proud of goes beyond the wins. He and his staff raised standards, strengthened our culture and created clearer connections from the youth national teams to the senior team. Those changes are now embedded in how we operate, and we will keep building on them as we pursue sustained success on the world stage.”
United will also hope Pochettino can follow in the club’s traditions of bringing through young players, as he has with the US with the likes of 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan and 17-year-old Mathis Albert getting their first goals in impressive wins over Chile and Mexico.
Pochettino will be followed to United by his long-time assistant Jesus Perez and the rest of his staff.
What now for the US?
Steve Cherundolo will lead the scheduled camp in December while the process to find a new head coach gets underway, led by the soccer leadership team at US Soccer that includes Emma Hayes and former USMNT defender Oguchi Onyewu.
Batson added: “With the great combination of veterans, fantastic young talent and a world-class facility, we are confident in the future of this program
“We are looking for a leader with the talent, experience and belief to match our ambition, build on the culture and pathway now in place and help the USMNT take the next step.”
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