Pochettino Set to Replace Carrick at Man United

Mauricio Pochettino Leads Contenders

Mauricio Pochettino emerged as the favored candidate to replace Michael Carrick as Manchester United manager, ESPN reported Nov. 10, 2026, as club hierarchy weighs firing the 45-year-old coach amid a slide into the Premier League relegation zone.

United sit one point off the bottom of the table after winning only once in 10 league matches. The club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign prompted co-chairman Joel Glazer, minority owner Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox to assess Carrick’s position, according to ESPN.

Monaco Summit Evaluates Carrick

Discussions regarding Carrick’s future are ongoing. Ratcliffe, Berrada, and Wilcox attended a pre-planned meeting in Monaco this week while Carrick arrived at the Carrington training ground for normal duties on Tuesday, ESPN reported.

Senior figures at Old Trafford grew alarmed by the sharp drop in performances and results. Carrick received a reprieve last month to turn around the slump, but subsequent outcomes left his prospects increasingly bleak ahead of a Nov. 22 match against Liverpool at Anfield, ESPN reported.

Pochettino Contract Release Clause

Pochettino, 54, extended his contract with the U.S. Soccer Federation until 2030 in August following a round-of-16 appearance at the World Cup. Securing the former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain manager requires paying a $10 million (£7.4 million) escape clause in his U.S. contract, ESPN reported.

Pochettino previously interviewed for the Manchester United job on three occasions. Club leadership views his Premier League experience as vital to steering the team out of danger, ESPN reported.

Alternative Managers Considered

United bosses also admire former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe. Unemployed coach Julian Nagelsmann remains an option, while Kieran McKenna—who interviewed for the position in 2024—retains supporters at Old Trafford, ESPN reported.

Carrick signed a two-year contract in the summer. He originally joined in January as interim manager and earned the permanent role after guiding the club to Champions League qualification, ESPN reported.