A $10 million release clause could bring Mauricio Pochettino to Manchester United, but the total cost rises when assistant coaches are included. The Athletic reported this specific number as the price to trigger his exit from the U.S. national team. That sum covers the head coach alone, yet the final bill would likely be much higher. Pochettino’s assistant coaches also have contracts that must be bought out, adding several million more to the total. Manchester United has the cash to handle such a bill without blinking. Forbes values the club at $7.2 billion, making it the third most valuable soccer team in the world.
The Money Makes Sense
United is staring at a possible drop to the second division after a terrible start to the season. They have won only one league game in ten matchdays and sit in the relegation zone. Club executives met on Tuesday morning to discuss firing current manager Michael Carrick. Pochettino is a leading candidate to replace him if the decision goes through. He signed a new four-year deal with the U.S. in August that runs through the 2030 World Cup. That pact includes the $10 million release clause, which is a pittance for a club of this size. Other names on the shortlist include Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, and Antonio Conte. Currently unemployed, all three possess substantial European experience.
The U.S. team is not sitting idle while these rumors swirl. Veteran defender Antonee “Jedi” Robinson spoke to reporters before training on Tuesday morning in Atlanta. “That news kind of got sprung on all of us along with the rest of the world today,” Robinson admitted. He noted that the distraction has not changed how the players work on the field. Young stars like Cavan Sullivan remain focused on the coach who has helped them grow. Sullivan said, “Mauricio has taken me under his wing in the most tremendous way possible.” The players are used to fast-changing environments in soccer and know how to handle the noise. They plan to focus on the next task at hand until told otherwise.
A Tough Decision Ahead
Pochettino earns about $7 million annually in his current role, which is a very cushy job for a coach. He leads the national team with a relaxed schedule compared to the daily grind of club management. Some wonder why he would leave the U.S. for the high pressure of the Premier League. One source noted, “Why would he leave the U.S. for something like this? He’s made a lot of money!” But the chance to lead a historic brand like Manchester United might be too good to pass up. If he succeeds, he could become an instant legend and build statues at Old Trafford. The first match of the two-game series against Haiti is Saturday in Miami.
The decisive second leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series takes place in Cincinnati on Nov. 17. The winner of this series will advance to the final four in March in Inglewood, California. On Nov. 11 in Monaco, United executives plan to reconvene regarding Carrick’s future. If Pochettino leaves, the U.S. will likely take its time to find a replacement before the next game on Dec. 13 against Jamaica. An interim staff will probably handle the team through the rest of the calendar year. The realistic window to hire a new coach could open sometime before March 2027.
