Manchester United confirm Pochettino appointment; Carrick thanks fans for love and support: football – live

Pochettino is asked if he's satisfied about what he achieved during his time at USMNT.

I think it's difficult in that business, always you want more, and then you are a critic, and you say, ‘oh, I could be better, I should do better things, do better things'.

Always it's being brave, take the best decision, to get the experience from that decision, what happened, and try to adapt again, and to try to make better decisions for the future.

I don't like to use satisfaction, being satisfied of what happened in the past. That's always, I think, in our mindset, it's always we try to do better, and do better and try to find a way to, maybe in this similar situation, act in the always best way.

Pochettino composes himself. Aware that this is U.S. Soccer goodbye rather than a Manchester United hello, his focus is on his time in charge of USMNT. He dodges the question on what appealed about the United job.

I want to thank the fans for the support, for everything. And of course, always, it was a tough moment.

Like I said before, it's a really tough decision. But at the same time, we are excited for that step forward. But now it's not the moment to talk, it's the moment to be committed, like always we are. And care, because we really care. And always we are going to care about the federation and the players and all the people that are here.

It's to be focused in the next game because it's really important for the federation. The players are amazing and they know how to manage this type of situation. It's true that it's not ideal, but it's never an ideal situation when this type of thing happens.

But in life, football is quick to move. That is why we need to move forward, I think. To keep that relationship and all the memories that we share. I think we were amazing.

Mauricio Pochettino is giving a surprisingly emotional press conference as he officially announces his departure from the USMNT for Manchester United following their next two games. When thanking officials for the opportunity he was given, his voice cracks and out comes a tissue to wipe away the tears.

If you want your Football Weekly in video form, this is the link for you.

An interesting take from Suzanne Wrack as Chelsea host Manchester City in the WSL on Saturday lunchtime. We'll have a live MBM blog on that one by the way.

We're all aware now that Pochettino's first game in charge is at Anfield. But what comes after that? His first six matches comprise four in the Premier League and two in the Champions League.

22 Nov: Liverpool v Man Utd

25 Nov: Sporting v Man Utd

28 Nov: Man Utd v Brentford

2 Dec: Newcastle v Man Utd

5 Dec: Man Utd v Coventry

8 Dec: Man Utd v RB Leipzig

Three away games in the first four isn't ideal or perhaps it is. Poch can start to bed in on the road where the away fans will perhaps give him more leeway. Sporting away is tough given that the Portuguese side have won three of their first four Champions League matches in the group phase. But Leipzig are down in 29th while Coventry and Newcastle are in the bottom half of the Premier League. Brentford sit 12th in the six-match EPL form table after two wins, two draws and two defeats. In other words, there are opportunities to turn the ship around.

Cheers Dom. That seems a fair summation of my plans. I'll start with some Poch…

Right, I shall hand back to David Tindall who will no doubt provide much more United/Pochettino chat, with the occasional post about something else.

Valérien Ismaël has been appointed as Le Havre coach until the end of the season, with the club sitting rock bottom in the Ligue 1 standings.

The 51-year-old former defender, who was hired as a replacement for Didier Digard, will face a huge task to keep Le Havre in the French top tier. Still winless in Ligue 1, Le Havre have two points from 10 matches.

The much-traveled Ismaël has coached teams in Germany, Greece, Austria, Turkey and England, and was most recently at Blackburn. Le Havre said in a statement yesterday that he has handled “emergency situations†in the past, “which could prove very useful in the coming weeks.†AP

Will Carlos Baleba become a key man for United under Pochettino? Much has been made of the Argentinian's desire to see his teams run, run, and then run some more. In the space of one season at Chelsea, Pochettino improved their running stats.

Baleba looks to be the only current United midfielder with the legs to cover large spaces. Pochettino often prefers a 4-2-3-1, so surely it stands to reason that the former Brighton player will fit in as one of two deep-lying midfielders? Kobbie Mainoo would appear to be the ideal partner for Baleba – and we know Pochettino likes to promote young homegrown talent. What that means for summer signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, it remains to be seen. But the news that Bruno Fernandes probably won't sign a new contract, could mean a shift in the structure of United's midfield.

Santos was loaned out by Chelsea to Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg during Pochettino's sole campaign at Stamford Bridge. United may well look to recruit more hard-running midfielders in January or the summer to suit Pochettino's preferences.

Let's recap some of the Guardian's most relevant reads to Manchester United, Carrick and Pochettino.

AND MORE TO COME!

Just watching Carrick's end-of-season speech on the Old Trafford turf from May, after a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.

I suspect he won't be repeating his praise of the United playing staff, but that connection with the Stretford End is most certainly evident.

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu will step down next week, the country's football association revealed today, cutting short his tenure in the wake of the 2027 Asian Cup's postponement.

Moriyasu, Japan's longest-serving coach, was originally set to lead the team at the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in January before handing the reins to current Under-23 boss Go Oiwa.

But the Asian Football Confederation announced last week that the tournament would be pushed back to December 2027 due to “exceptional circumstances†in the region, following Houthi attacks on the host country.

That left Moriyasu in limbo, with Japan Football Association (JFA) chiefs last week declining to clarify when the coaching handover would take place.

They said that Japan's friendlies in Singapore against Brazil on Saturday and Paraguay on Tuesday would be Moriyasu's last games in charge. AFP

Reports are already emerging suggesting Pochettino will bring Jesús Pérez, Miguel D'Agostino, Toni Jiménez, Sebastiano Pochettino (his son) and Sílvia Tuyà with him to Manchester United. Coaching squad, assemble!

Wow, that's quite the emotional and heartfelt message from Carrick, speaking directly to the United supporters. That's a bond that will not be broken, despite the events of the past few months.

He may not have been up to the job, but Carrick remained classy and dignified until the end.

The former head coach has taken to Instagram to address United fans and his departure from the club.

Dear United fans, I've had the immense privilege of leading Manchester United, the football club that I love. There are very few who get to live that and feel it, and for that I am incredibly grateful.

With that comes huge responsibility, and to be at Manchester United you need to understand exactly what that means. It's different to anywhere else.

Ultimately you need to push to be the best, but there is a culture, there are values and there are behaviours that you have to live by and respect, which have been built over a long period of time …

I want to say a big thank you to the supporters. I must say, you are a special rare breed …

I just wanted to give you something back. That love never dies. I know we've not had the results lately, but you've shown me nothing but love and support in times when the easiest thing … would be to turn the other way. That means more than a win or two …

I want nothing but success for Manchester United. This club has been such a big part of my life and that will never change. I'll always be proud to have played my part and I'll always want the very best for it.

I'll be right there with you from now on, watching from the sidelines, cheering the lads on.

Before I pivot away to other topics (yes, there is a big footballing world outside of Manchester United), there's still time to plug the latest Football Weekly, as the guys get to grips with Pochettino's appointment, among other things.

Robyn Cowen is joined by Jacob Steinberg, Lars Sivertsen and Paul Watson for this one.

It's been said a few times this week, but it's very modern day Manchester United to appoint an international manager during the international break … the only time he's actually busy and has games to manage.

Pochettino's first day of work at Carrington will be on Wednesday, if he's recovered from the jet lag in time.

Just to mark your card, Pochettino is due to speak to the media at 2.15pm (GMT) today in a press conference to preview the USA's clash with Haiti.

I'm not sure there will be many questions about the makeup of Haiti's defence. Man United media squad, assemble!

There's a general consensus in the emails below – and among most Manchester United fans right now – that the owners above Pochettino have made things even trickier for the incoming boss at Old Trafford.

Reader Jeff Sax, however, lies the blame in a slightly different direction. This is what he says on email:

People should stop blaming the owners. Management and players are responsible… if the management were not so bad maybe there would be better players.

And the players are not being professional in the way they are playing. Nothing to do with ownership.

Emails! Lots of emails! Lots of emails about Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester United …

Darren Winter: “We all know that Pochettino is wedded to a basic 4-2-3-1, as were Carrick and Ten Hag, and the current United squad is apparently set up to play that way. But we also know that formations and tactics are cyclical. You would think that the next big team who changes the formation and nullifies 4-2-3-1 with something new will be the team leading the charge (cough Brighton cough), with others working out how to stop or adapt to the new formation.

“That got me thinking about Ruben Amorim. I wonder if that's what United thought they were doing with hiring a 3-4-2-1 manager? But the problem with that theory is that it gives Ineos a lot of credit for football knowledge they don't appear to have. So I don't know, what do you think?â€

Paul Simpson: “It seems like the best in class hierarchy at Manchester United are up to their old tricks. A new manager was needed in the summer and as a fan i can fully understand the pull of appointing Carrick after the job he did last season. But Pochettino was coming out of contract after the World Cup so why was he not considered then? I guess it was so they could wait and pay the £10m or so compensation once he had signed a new contract plus whatever they need to pay Carrick for sacking him. It's decisions like these that show why Ratcliffe pays Wilcox and Berrada the big bucks.â€

Pochettino's confirmation as Manchester United's new head coach ends a run of near-misses that date back a decade.

He was linked with the post as far back as 2016, also coming close to being appointed in 2018, 2021 and 2022. He has long had an admirer in Sir Alex Ferguson, who praised Pochettino in a 2016 interview when the Argentinian's Spurs team were approaching their apex.

“This lad has composure,†said Ferguson.

“You never see him ruffled and the way his team play is a testimony to the work he is doing.

“The most important thing for English football is how many English and young players are in his team. He understands the advantage of playing young people. They won't let you down and they have been fantastic.â€

United's own statement describes Pochettino as the club's new ‘head coach' and reveals he will begin work on 18 November, with “Mauricio and his staff to be released after the conclusion of their responsibilities with the U.S. Men's National Teamâ€.

Pochettino's long-time assistants are Jesus Perez and Miguel D'Agostino, as well as goalkeeping coach Antonio Jimenez.

Here's Pochettino's statement on his departure from the USMNT:

The opportunity to represent the USA crest was one of the greatest honours of my career. We are so grateful to the players for their commitment, to the fans for their belief, and to the federation for always supporting our staff and creating the opportunities to impact the culture of soccer in this great country.

We want to thank Cindy Parlow Cone, JT Batson and Dan Helfrich for their partnership and incredible working relationships throughout our time here. There is tremendous talent in the US player pool from the youth teams through to the senior team, and it's one of the reasons we have so much belief for the future of US Soccer. You will always have a special place in our hearts, and we will be supporting the teams whenever they step on the field.

Mauricio Pochettino's switch from the US men's national team to Manchester United has been confirmed. Pochettino will guide the US through a pair of Concacaf Nations League matches on Saturday and Tuesday before joining United, for whom his first game will come at Liverpool next Sunday.

The former Chelsea, Tottenham and Southampton manager has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal to replace Michael Carrick, who was sacked on Thursday after leading United to their worst start to a season in four decades.

More to follow.

It's going to be fascinating whether Pochettino is labelled a ‘head coach' or a ‘manager' when United confirm his appointment. We will soon see I suppose.

Here's another email from Krishna, who I think messaged my colleague David earlier on. It's a list of problems for Pochettino:

Hello Dominic. An unwilling captain, [a] chaotic board, non-existent management team, insufficient and disorganised recruiting, a completely frustrated fanbase and an owner who does not just care …

Clearly the United job still has some allure, Krishna. Pochettino has coveted it for a long, long time.

There was a bit of a shock in the Nations League last night: Italy beat France 3-1 after going 1-0 down early on.

Are the Azzurri on their way back under Roberto Mancini? It's probably too soon to tell, but this was a positive, as France suffered their first defeat under Zinedine Zidane.

Let's pivot to other matters for a short while … Andy Robertson will equal Scotland's men's appearance record if and when he takes the field against North Macedonia tonight. And although the legendary left-back is matching Kenny Dalglish's Scotland cap record, he insists he's a way off King Kenny in terms of footballing legacy and reputation.

Scotland also badly need a win to take the pressure off Sébastien Pocognoli, who isn't having things easy in charge of the Tartan Army. He's still looking for his first home win as Scotland head coach, this his third attempt.

Pochettino was viewed as having a very distinct philosophy at Tottenham: pressing, fast attacks, narrow wingers etc. These quotes show perhaps he is willing to go away from that, depending on the players at his disposal:

I need to adapt to my roster, my squad, and not to think about myself. [My job is] not to coach the squad for myself. I need to coach the team for the team, for the players, not for what I think is good for me. I need to provide the best tools to perform with the characteristics that I have in my squad.

I think much of the chatter around Pochettino, rightly or wrongly, still centres on his (excellent) Tottenham tenure. This interview from earlier this year gives more of an insight into the modern day Poch, how he's changed and adapted from those years at Spurs.

The PSG-Chelsea-USA run perhaps isn't the most convincing, but there is important context around all those jobs.

Thanks David. With frost still on the ground in my particular part of south Manchester, the heating is very much on.

Speaking of heat and Manchester, back to Mauricio Pochettino …

Time to test the grey matter as you down a cuppa – and WFHers ponder whether to put the heating on. Plenty of football in this week's quiz. While you mull which Manchester United boss has spent the longest in the job since Fergie left, I'll hand the reins to Dominic Booth.

What do our readers think of Michael Carrick's sacking. A variety of views here…

After several decades of hurt, the world's favourite sport may finally be getting its artistic due, writes Emma John. In related news, I was in Afflecks Palace in Manchester on Wednesday, admiring some of Stan Chow's football pop art. Plenty of Christmas present potential there although I'll also point you to The Guardian Bookshop.

Kane's lead at the top of the England all-time top scorers chart is ridiculous! Just eight more before he brings up the century. For so long, trying to beat Sir Bobby Charlton's tally of 49 seemed a massive ask. Fair play to the presumably very fashion-conscious Vivian Woodward for that goals per game ratio.

England's all-time top goalscorers:

• 92 – Harry Kane (126 caps, 0.73 per cap)

• 53 – Wayne Rooney (120 caps, 0.44)

• 49 – Sir Bobby Charlton (106 caps, 0.46)

• 48 – Gary Lineker (80 caps, 0.60)

• 44 – Jimmy Greaves (57 caps, 0.77)

• 40 – Michael Owen (89 caps, 0.45)

• 30 – Nat Lofthouse (33 caps, 0.91)

• 30 – Alan Shearer (63 caps, 0.48)

• 30 – Sir Tom Finney (76 caps, 0.39)

• 29 – Vivian Woodward (23 caps, 1.26)

• 29 – Frank Lampard (106 caps, 0.27)
  

On email, krishnamoorthy v has been checking his diary.

Good morning David. If Poch can't see the omen of Friday the 13th as his day of appointment, well…

Barney Ronay was at Wembley on Thursday night to celebrate Happy Harry Kane day.

“And as the teams lined up there was a surprise appearance from the real star of this stage, the Ballon d'Or itself, wreathed in event glamour and star-flash. Kane drew the ballon from its stone in Arthurian fashion, then held it a little sheepishly in one hand. Prince William walked out and gave him a massive framed shirt, which seemed weird in the moment, like the chief area sales manager presenting the prize from the Christmas raffle. Has Prince William ever been asked to carry anything before?â€

Here's David Hytner's report of England's 2-1 win over Croatia in the Nations League last night. Comes complete with photo of Harry Kane in classic penalty-taking pose.

Arsenal are struggling domestically but they dug out a fine result away to Barcelona in the Women's Champions League last night. The result left Renée Slegers' side fourth in the table. Remember, the top four in the 18-team group phase qualify automatically for the quarter-finals. Here's Suzanne Wrack's report.

The Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has rejected a second offer of a new contract at Old Trafford but the club are confident of getting the midfielder to commit his future to Old Trafford. The 32-year-old's current deal runs until the end of the season but United have the option to trigger a further year.

If United elect not to utilise that clause, Fernandes would be allowed to speak to clubs abroad in January. The Portuguese has previously had interest from Saudi Arabia and Galatasaray but chose to stay.

Fernandes won the PFA player of the year award last season after helping United to third in the league with a record-breaking 21 assists, but his form has dipped. He also took aim at Carrick's tactics after United's defeat by Como in the Champions League, in the weeks before the manager was sacked.

Here's Will Unwin again on how Pochettino can reignite Manchester United. Simples.

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be appointed as the new Manchester United head coach later today. The Argentinian will leave his role with the United States to sign a two-and-a-half year contract at Old Trafford as Michael Carrick's replacement.

Carrick and his backroom staff were dismissed on Thursday, with Pochettino expected to bring his trusted lieutenants from previous roles with him.

It will cost United £7m in compensation to secure the former Tottenham and Chelsea boss.

A Poch timeline for you. The official announcement is expected later today but Pochettino won't arrive at the club until next Wednesday. Here's how the next 10 days look:

• Friday 13 November: United are set to confirm his appointment.

• Saturday 14 November: He takes charge of the USA in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti in Miami (9.30pm UK time).

• Tuesday 17 November: He leads the USA for the last time, in the second leg against Haiti in Cincinnati (midnight UK time).

• Wednesday 18 November: He flies to Manchester to meet his new bosses.

• Thursday 19 November: He takes his first training session with the players.

• Sunday 22 November: His first game in charge is Liverpool away at Anfield (4.30pm). Gulp!

Ahead of Mauricio Pochettino's unveiling at Manchester United, Andrew Beasley crunches the numbers to look at the Argentine's possible impact.

An elite manager? The stats say yes: only the five “big beasts†of Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger, José Mourinho, Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have better points-per-game averages than Pochettino.

Jack Grealish has issued a public apology to Everton fans after he made his comeback in a behind-closed-doors match with Derby. Grealish has missed four matches and not played for the Toffees since 17 October following a breach of club discipline.

Boss David Moyes has been reluctant to discuss any finer details and the club only confirmed the 31-year-old former England winger was “not match-fit†ahead of a trip to Newcastle on 2 November but Grealish featured in a friendly at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Thursday in the strongest suggestion yet that a line has been drawn over the issue.

“Nice to be back out there with the boys today after a few good days training,†Grealish wrote on his Instagram story.

“I want to apologise to the fans and everyone at the club for not being able to help the team the last few weeks. I love playing for this club and can't wait to be back playing in front of you guys in an Everton shirt. See you all soon.â€

Grealish spent the first half of the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Everton before injury curtailed his spell on Merseyside, but he returned on another temporary deal on transfer deadline day. (Press Association)

Good morning! Harry Kane scores for England and more managerial chaos at Manchester United. Yep, some things never change.

Kane's penalty, on his record 126th appearance for the Three Lions, secured England's 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Nations League on Thursday night. Earlier in the day, Michael Carrick had been sacked by Manchester United, paving the way for Mauricio Pochettino to take over the reins at Old Trafford.

We'll have reaction to those big events, women's Champions League and Nations League updates plus news of an apology from Jack Grealish to Everton. In other words, lots to talk about and dissect!