Manchester United have sacked Michael Carrick as head coach, with the team sitting in the Premier League relegation zone, and have lined up Mauricio Pochettino to replace him. The decision came on Thursday, after the club’s worst ever start to a Premier League campaign.
Carrick was dismissed less than six months after being rewarded with the job on a permanent basis. He was appointed in May 2026 after guiding United to third place in the league and qualification for the Champions League, and he had signed a contract running until 2028.
Director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada recommended the sacking to Jim Ratcliffe. The decision had been expected earlier in the week, but was delayed by at least another day.
Pochettino is the frontrunner to take over. Reports say he has already agreed terms to succeed Carrick. He is currently head coach of the United States national team but is understood to want the United job. He has previously managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League.
United would reportedly have to pay compensation of $10m to secure his release. The Argentine has been in charge of the USA since September 2024 and led the World Cup co-hosts to the last 16 of the 2026 tournament.
The links between Pochettino and United go back years. The club had spoken to him about the job on three previous occasions: when Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2018, in 2022 before Erik ten Hag was appointed, and again when the Dutchman was sacked in 2024.
In its statement, United said it intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible. At the time of writing, the club has not officially confirmed Pochettino’s appointment.
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