Son Heung-min's former mentor, Mauricio Pochettino, set to rescue relegation-threatened Manchester United... Romano also says "Here we go" as Ruben Amorim's successor Erik ten Hag finally sacked after "1 win in 10 matches, drop to 18th place"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Mauricio Pochettino (54), the U.S. national team manager who previously coached Son Heung-min at Tottenham in England, is expected to take charge of Manchester United, which has fallen into the relegation zone.

Reuters reported on the 12th (Korean time) that "Manchester United has sacked Manager Michael Carrick," adding, "Pochettino is the frontrunner to succeed Carrick. Pochettino has agreed to take over the vacant Manchester United managerial position."

Fabrizio Romano, a European football transfer market expert, also announced Pochettino's move to Manchester United on his social media. Along with this, he attached his signature phrase "Here we go," which effectively signifies an official confirmation. According to Romano, the U.S. Soccer Federation has also approved Pochettino's move to Manchester United.

As recently as last season, Carrick was the manager who led a struggling Manchester United into the UEFA Champions League (UCL). After Manager Ruben Amorim was sacked in January of last year, Carrick took over on an interim basis and recorded 11 wins in his first 16 matches.

In particular, he received high praise for securing victories against powerhouses such as Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. Manchester United secured a Champions League spot by finishing third in the league, which led to Carrick signing a contract until 2028.

However, performance plummeted with the start of the new season. Manchester United managed only 3 wins in 15 official matches. In the English Premier League (EPL), during 10 matches played, their only victory was against promoted side Ipswich Town. Manchester United dropped to 18th place with 8 points. The gap from the bottom of the table was just 1 point.

Reuters pointed to the match against Bournemouth as the game where pressure on Carrick intensified. Carrick kept captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench and did not bring him on even when Manchester United could not find a breakthrough in midfield. As a result, Manchester United suffered a heavy 0-3 defeat at home.

The outlet explained, "The struggling Manchester United club gave Carrick one more chance to revive the season," adding, "After holding a conversation to clear up misunderstandings, Carrick brought playmaker Fernandes back into the starting lineup for the match against Chelsea. The squad's determination to turn things around was also mentioned."

It then emphasized, "But almost nothing changed."

Manchester United seemed to catch a breath after securing a 3-2 comeback victory against AS Roma (Italy) in the UCL. However, defensive instability resurfaced in the subsequent league home match against Aston Villa. Manchester United trailed 2-4 before scoring two goals in stoppage time of the second half to narrowly draw 4-4. It was the last match Carrick managed from the Manchester United bench.

The Manchester United club stated, "After a disappointing start to the season, we have reached the very difficult conclusion that change is needed to achieve the club's goals."

Reuters reported, "Ultimately, Carrick has become another manager sacked at Old Trafford, following David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag, and Amorim."

Argentine-born Pochettino led Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea in the EPL. Reuters described him as "one of the highest-rated managers among those who have managed in the Premier League." He has been in charge of the U.S. national team since September 2024.

Reuters predicted that Pochettino will continue to lead the U.S. national team through two matches against Haiti in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, scheduled for the 15th and 18th. If things go as expected, he will have little time to coordinate with the Manchester United players.

Manchester United faces "arch-rival" Liverpool at Anfield at 1:30 a.m. on the 23rd after the international break. This match is expected to be Pochettino's debut as Manchester United manager.

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

*This content was translated by AI.View Original