Emotional Mauricio Pochettino in tears over USA exit after accepting Manchester United manager role
Mauricio Pochettino Press Conference - Getty Images Sport Mauricio Pochettino could not hide his emotions during a heartfelt farewell to the United States national team, breaking down in tears just moments after being confirmed as the new Manchester United manager.
Key points
- While most managerial tears follow a dismissal, Pochettino noted that walking away from his international post weighed heavily on him, even as the lure of Old Trafford proved impossible to ignore following Thursday's sacking of Carrick, who departed after an eight-match winless run in the Premier League.
- It's a really tough decision, but at the same time I'm excited for that step.' Pochettino took the opportunity to express his gratitude to those he worked with during a transformative period for American soccer.
- We recovered our motivation and the capacity to dig deep.' The daunting task ahead at Old Trafford Concluding his farewell by thanking the American media and fans for their honesty, the new manager remarked: 'I want to recognise the value from us and me.
A bittersweet departure for Pochettino The appointment of Pochettino at Manchester United has brought an end to his successful stint with the United States national team, but the transition has clearly taken a personal toll.
Additional details
- Speaking to reporters on Friday, the emotional weight of the announcement was evident - a raw reaction reflecting his deep connection to the American setup he has led since September 2024.
- 'We were very excited to share a project which we really believe in and are evolving together, it makes the decision harder,' he explained as he continued to wipe away tears.
- Building a legacy with the Stars and Stripes Before officially taking the reins at Old Trafford, the 54-year-old will oversee the USA's fixtures against Haiti, bringing the curtain down on a spell that began in September 2024.
- Initially contracted through this summer's World Cup, he earned a four-year extension until the end of the 2030 finals after guiding the Stars and Stripes to the last 16, boasting an impressive record of 22 wins from 35 matches ahead of this week's double-header.
- Addressing the difficulty of the transition, Pochettino highlighted the shared growth within the federation.
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