- Pochettino not on shortlist for Manchester United job
- Former Spurs boss was close to joining in 2022
- Likely to stay as USMNT manager after World Cup
In the summer of 2022, the question for Manchester United fans was whether they preferred Erik ten Hag or Mauricio Pochettino as the next manager.
The United board went with the Dutchman, whilst Pochettino ended up taking a break before his next role as Chelsea boss. At that point, it felt like the Reds made the right call. In his first season, ten Hag guided United to third in the Premier League and made the FA Cup final.
Even in hindsight, it was the correct call. Ten Hag was sacked after two and a half years, yet there are no regrets over not appointing Pochettino.
Shortlist Does Not Include Pochettino
According to Ben Jacobs via The United Stand, Michael Carrick and Julian Nagelsmann are currently the two leading candidates for the permanent role. Pochettino is not considered to be in the running for the job.
He said: “Mauricio Pochettino’s contract includes a clause preventing an immediate exit, running into a limbo month with wind-down weeks in August.”
The former Spurs and Chelsea boss is preparing for his first World Cup in charge with USMNT, as they battle Paraguay, Turkey and Australia to top Group D. The pressure will be on for him to deliver results for the home nation.
His current role would be a major barrier if United were interested in Pochettino. Jacobs added: “If Manchester United want him for the start of the Premier League season, they’d need to negotiate with US Soccer. Currently, Julian Nagelsmann and Michael Carrick are higher priorities.”
The journalist has also suggested that the Red Devils want to have a manager appointed before the World Cup starts. Additionally, at some point this month, the club will be reaching out to external candidates.
Not An Upgrade on Carrick
The loopholes that the Reds would have to go through to appoint Pochettino is simply not worth the hassle.
Pochettino’s stock has fallen considerably since reaching the Champions League final with Spurs in 2019. He left Stamford Bridge after just one season at Chelsea. Later, the Argentinian was sacked by PSG after 18 months for failing to bring the Champions League trophy to the club. This was despite having the star-studded trio of Neymar Jr, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe at his disposal.
There is hardly a great deal of optimism heading into the World Cup for the home nation either. Their standout player, Christian Pulisic is misfiring for club and country. The recent international break has seen the Argentinian’s side fall to two defeats in four days. The Yanks conceded five goals against Belgium, and were utterly outplayed by Portugal in a 2-0 defeat prior to that.
Whereas with Carrick, United already know what they are getting. The only real asterisk seems to be whether his side can handle playing two games on a weekly basis. It would almost certainly be more cost-effective to hire the Englishman as well. Pochettino currently earns £4.5m a year as USMNT’s head coach, slightly more than Nagelsmann (£4.3m).
Once upon a time, Pochettino and Manchester United were a match made in heaven. For the vision that INEOS have constructed to make the club great again, they must move away from that narrative.
