Mauricio Pochettino will leave his position as United States men’s national team coach on Nov. 17 to manage Manchester United with Steve Cherundolo taking over the December camp, the U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed on Friday.
Pochettino will stay on to take charge of the USMNT’s two Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal games against Haiti, on Nov. 14 and Nov. 17 before travelling to Manchester and Cherundolo will lead the team’s previously scheduled December camp, which will feature a primarily MLS-based roster.
U.S. Soccer did not immediately name a replacement for Pochettino, but in a news release said that U.S. women’s national team coach Emma Hayes will be among those involved in the search along with U.S. Soccer federation leadership, including CEO and Secretary General JT Batson, COO Dan Helfrich and VP for Sporting Oguchi Onyewu, “drawing on input from leaders across U.S. Soccer and the global soccer landscape.”
The Argentine leaves the USMNT just over three months after renewing a contract that would have seen him through to the 2030 World Cup. His deal included a release clause that will see Manchester United pay the USSF around $10 million.
He first signed on as USMNT coach in September of 2024, taking over for Gregg Berhalter and led the USMNT into the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.
About his time with the USMNT, Pochettino said: “The opportunity to represent the USA crest was one of the greatest honors of my career. We are so grateful to the players for their commitment, to the fans for their belief, and to the Federation for always supporting our staff and creating the opportunities to impact the culture of soccer in this great country.
Pochettino departs the USMNT having compiled a record of 21-12-2 (W-L-D). At the 2026 World Cup, the USMNT finished first in its World Cup group and earned its first knockout-round victory since 2002.
With three victories during the tournament, Pochettino recorded the most World Cup wins of any head coach in USMNT history.
“We want to thank Cindy Parlow Cone, JT Batson and Dan Helfrich for their partnership and incredible working relationships throughout our time here,” Pochettino said in a statement. “There is tremendous talent in the U.S. player pool from the youth teams through to the senior team, and it’s one of the reasons we have so much belief for the future of U.S. Soccer. You will always have a special place in our hearts, and we will be supporting the teams whenever they step on the field.”
The move sees Pochettino return to the Premier League, having previously managed Southampton from 2013-14, Tottenham Hotspur from 2014-19, and Chelsea during the 2023-24 campaign.
“I want to thank MaurÃcio and his staff for all their contributions over the past two years to move our Men’s National Team forward, and wish him all the best at Manchester United,” U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said.
“As we look ahead, we have an exciting group of players and our focus at the completion of this FIFA window is on finding the right coaching staff to help us build on the progress we’ve built and lead this team to even more success on the world stage.”
