Mauricio Pochettino will coach USMNT vs. Haiti despite looming Manchester United move

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — Mauricio Pochettino was back at work with the U.S. on Thursday, preparing his squad for a match against Haiti on Saturday. But with Manchester United's announcement that Michael Carrick had been dismissed as manager, the Argentine's days leading the Americans appear to be winding down. Pochettino will coach the U.S. through both legs of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti, even if his departure is announced before Tuesday’s second leg in Cincinnati, sources confirmed to Yahoo Sports. The U.S. Soccer Federation has spoken to United about releasing Pochettino from his contract and freeing him to become the Red Devils' leader, sources told Yahoo Sports. U.S. players are bracing for that eventuality, even as they continue preparing for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals. “I expect official news soon,” a person close to the situation said. At the moment, Pochettino is intent on coaching the U.S. through the second leg Tuesday in Cincinnati, sources said. Mauricio Pochettino could be nearing the end of his USMNT tenure, but the Nations League quarterfinals remain his immediate priority. AP Photo/Mike Stewart "Him leaving, him staying, he's just created a great foundation and a great base for this team," midfielder Sebastian Berhalter said of the 54-year-old Pochettino. "Even though he's an Argentinian coach, he made us even more proud to be American, and I think that speaks volumes of who he is as a person and as a coach." Berhalter said Pochettino has not addressed the United situation with the players. Pochettino is not scheduled to speak publicly until Friday morning — standard procedure the day before a game. The USSF has not commented on the situation. "If I had a vote, I would like to keep things the way they are," striker Folarin Balogun said. "Things have been working well. We have a clear sense of identity. We have a clear playing style, and whenever you have a top coach, you want them to stay." Pochettino joined the U.S. program in the fall of 2024 following Gregg Berhalter's dismissal and, after guiding the team to the World Cup's Round of 16 this past summer, he re-signed with the USSF through the 2030 tournament. His deal included an exit clause of a reported $10 million, which United would need to pay the USSF. Sebastian Berhalter, who has become a key figure for the U.S., credited Pochettino for his rise on the international scene, inviting him to his first camp in the summer of 2025. "From Day 1, he's always believed in me," the 25-year-old midfielder said. "I can't thank him enough, regardless if he's the coach, not the coach. He's meant so much to me, and he's helped me develop as a player and as a person." With Pochettino seemingly on the way out, Balogun reflected on where the program stands. "The benefit and the blessing when you have a great coach is the standard," he said. "Coach has definitely raised the standard since he's been in charge. Just the intensity of training, how we approach games. He's changed our way of thinking as players." This is not the first time U.S. players have had to compartmentalize their work while rumors swirled around Pochettino, whose experience with Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, among others, has made him a prime candidate for openings abroad. During the long run-up to the World Cup, both Tottenham and AC Milan were reportedly interested in him. "We already deal with a lot of other things, and this doesn't change what we do on the field," Berhalter said. "We know what we're supposed to do, and I think the work ethic, the fighting mentality, that spirit, isn't going to change regardless." The U.S. is scheduled to practice again Friday at the national training center before chartering to Miami.