Mauricio Pochettino says leaving the United States national team to become Manchester United head coach is “one of the most difficult decisions of my career”.
The Argentine will lead the USA in their two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Haiti before moving to Old Trafford. The first leg is on Saturday, with the return fixture three days later.
Pochettino was announced as Manchester United’s new head coach on Friday, marking his return to the Premier League after previous spells with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea. His first match in charge will be against Liverpool on November 22.
The 2025 Gold Cup final, where the USA lost to Mexico, was reached under Pochettino after he took charge in September 2024. At the World Cup, the co-hosts progressed to the last 16 – their joint-best finish since reaching the quarter-finals in 2002 – although greater progress had been expected.
Pochettino had agreed a new four-year contract after the World Cup but became emotional when discussing his departure at a news conference before the Haiti match.
“In some part, this is a very sad decision,” he said.
“In another part, we are professionals. This is the next step to try and make your dreams come true.
“The most important thing is that we leave here, the moments we shared together, the things that we accomplished… all the standards we put together, we have increased.
“I haven’t prepared that speech! It all came from the heart. Thank you for giving me the capacity to dream big. The players want to put the country and federation in the place they want to be.
“The human being is everything. That is why this is a difficult decision. A big thank you from my heart. We learnt a lot from this country, these amazing people.
“One of the most difficult decisions of my career.”
Pochettino has previously been linked with the Manchester United job and appeared close to joining the club in 2022, before Erik ten Hag was appointed. He admitted the opportunity was too significant to reject.
“It’s obvious. I never said I wanted to go back, but they know there aren’t too many opportunities that happen in your career like Manchester United. When it arrives, it’s difficult to turn down,” he said.
Pochettino said discussions began quickly, after United’s interest emerged soon after his new USA agreement.
“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.
“When things start to become big and big, players are very sensitive, but the stuff is too. All was so quick because we arrived here last Friday, and [on] Sunday afternoon, this type of situation [talks with United] started to appear.
“We were talking with the federation, and [Thursday], when the agreement was reached, we had a meeting, and I communicated with the players.”
Pochettino said the players had been supportive and that US Soccer and Manchester United had agreed he would complete his final two matches with the national side.
“They were very supportive. US Soccer and Manchester United agreed we would continue, and that will not change our commitment,” he said.
“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.”
Pochettino has won 150 Premier League matches and, among managers to have overseen at least 30 games, has the competition’s 19th-best win ratio at 51%.
