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Tearful Mauricio Pochettino explains why he swapped USA for Man Utd

Sky Sports's Rob Dorsett explains why the new Manchester United head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has a VERY busy few days ahead of him.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 2 sources•1 min read•Updated November 13, 2026, 3:16 PM UTC
Key points
  • Mauricio Pochettino struggled to fight off tears as he held his first press conference since being confirmed as Michael Carrick ’s managerial successor at Manchester United.
  • He also explained why he decided to see out the rest of the international break in the USA dugout, saying it was out of respect for his players and staff.
  • Pochettino will see out the rest of the international break in the USA dugout (Getty) “Because before [we are] professional, we are a person,” he added.

Mauricio Pochettino was in tears as he spoke for the first time since making the switch to Man United (Getty) "When we decided together to extend our commitment, it was a commitment for the federation, just in case.

Additional details
  • Sky Sports' Gary Neville says it will be key for Mauricio Pochettino to take a leading role in Manchester United's recruitment plans for the upcoming transfer window and beyond if he is to achieve success at Old Trafford.
  • Asked what made him swap the USA for United despite committing his future earlier this year, Pochettino said: "It's obvious.
  • Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new Manchester United head coach, following the sacking of Michael Carrick.
  • Pochettino will leave his post as United States manager at the end of the current international break, joining up with United on 18 November after the club moved to replace Carrick, who was sacked on Thursday.
  • It was to help the federation, just in case that didn't work for four years." Pochettino said contact from United was first made on Sunday afternoon, insisting that he was “very transparent” with US Soccer throughout the process.

How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →

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Every article behind this summary — 4 articles from 2 outlets

Yahoo SportsNovember 13, 2026, 3:16 PM UTC → Sky SportsNovember 13, 2026, 1:48 PM UTC → Sky SportsNovember 13, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC → Sky SportsNovember 12, 2026, 2:49 PM UTC →

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