"I'm leaving now": Manager Michael Carrick breaks down in tears before players, "shook hands and left dejectedly"... Still collects 9 billion won in severance pay

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"I'm leaving now."

Michael Carrick (45), who is set to step down as Manchester United manager after just 10 months in the role, ultimately shed tears in front of his players.

The UK's "The Sun" reported on the 13th (Korean time) that "Carrick, who was abruptly dismissed due to poor results, bid a tearful farewell to his players at the training ground."

According to the outlet, after receiving notice of dismissal from the club's top brass, Carrick approached the players remaining at the Carrington training complex and said, "I've gone lads," while on the verge of tears. He shook hands with a few of them before driving away from the training ground in a dejected manner.

The Manchester United club immediately issued an official statement, saying, "Carrick has stepped down as first-team manager. The leadership and results he demonstrated last season will always be remembered fondly," while adding, "We have made the difficult decision to change course in order to overcome a disappointing start to this season and achieve the club's ambitions." Manchester United plans to appoint a permanent successor as soon as possible.

Carrick had sensed his dismissal since last Monday (the 9th), when rumors swirled that he was being considered as the successor to former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino. However, even during the international break, he dutifully reported for work, coaching the remaining first-team players and the Under-21 team, maintaining his professionalism until the end. With this dismissal, Carrick and his coaching staff will receive 5 million pounds (approximately 9 billion won) in severance pay. Consequently, the total severance paid by Manchester United for dismissing managers since former manager Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013 has exceeded 100 million pounds (approximately 178 billion won).

In fact, after taking charge in January last year, Carrick led the team to 12 wins in the remaining 17 matches of the 2025-2026 season, recording the most points in that period in the English Premier League (EPL) and sparking a surge that propelled the team to third place. However, severe struggles this season ultimately proved fatal. Manchester United has managed only one win, five draws, and four losses in their first 10 matches of the season, plummeting to 18th place, which is in the relegation zone. It is their worst start in 40 years since the 1986-1987 season.

In particular, following a victory against Ipswich Town on August 31 last year, the team fell into a slump of eight consecutive league matches without a win, and has managed only three wins across all 15 official matches. In their match against Aston Villa on the 8th last month, they exposed serious defensive instability, managing only a narrow 4-4 draw. The situation is so dire that football statistics media "Opta" predicts Manchester United's relegation probability at as high as 20.9%.

Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is the frontrunner to succeed Carrick. "The Sun" reported that day, "Manchester United has agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract with Pochettino," adding, "An official announcement could come as early as the 13th local time." Manchester United has agreed to pay 7.4 million pounds (approximately 13 billion won) in severance to Pochettino's current employer, the US national team, to secure his services.

Manager Pochettino, who has led the US national team for the past two years and guided them to a Round of 16 appearance at the World Cup held in their home country last summer, will continue to manage the US team through this international match schedule. He is expected to join Manchester United after completing the two-match series against Haiti in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals (on the 14th and 17th). His debut as Manchester United manager is expected to be the EPL home game against Liverpool on the 22nd (local time).

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original