Pochettino to Exit USMNT for Manchester United; Cherundolo Named Interim

Mauricio Pochettino will leave the U.S. Men’s National Team on Nov. 17 to join Manchester United following a $10 million release clause payment.

Mauricio Pochettino will depart his role as United States men’s national team head coach on Nov. 17 to become the manager of Manchester United. The U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed the move on Friday, noting that Manchester United will pay approximately $10 million to trigger a release clause in Pochettino's contract. Before his departure, the Argentine coach will lead the USMNT in two Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti on Nov. 14 and Nov. 17.

Pochettino leaves the program with a 21-12-2 record after originally signing in September 2024. During the 2026 World Cup, he guided the team to a first-place finish in its group and its first knockout-round win since 2002. His three tournament victories established a new record for the most World Cup wins by any head coach in USMNT history.

Steve Cherundolo will take charge of the team's December camp, which is expected to utilize a roster composed primarily of MLS players. U.S. Soccer has not yet named a permanent successor, but confirmed that U.S. women’s national team coach Emma Hayes will assist in the search alongside CEO JT Batson, COO Dan Helfrich, and VP for Sporting Oguchi Onyewu.