Arabic version: يونايتد يقترب من بوكيتينو بعد رحيل كاريك
According to BBC News, Manchester United were aware of a $10m (£7m) release clause in Mauricio Pochettino’s contract with the United States national team before Michael Carrick was dismissed. Talks with Pochettino have been ongoing since Monday, with United seeking to bring the Argentine back to the Premier League.
United chief executive Omar Berrada contacted Carrick’s agent on Monday to say he and director of football Jason Wilcox would travel to Monaco for a planned meeting with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, including discussion of the head coach’s future. Wilcox is believed to have had a similar conversation with Carrick a day later. On both occasions, it was communicated that a recommendation on Carrick’s future would be made.
The club’s leadership had told Carrick that results and performances needed to improve after heavy defeats by Como and Bournemouth. United placed particular importance on matches against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa, but a defeat, victory and draw did not preserve his position. The hierarchy felt there had not been enough progress in team structure during that run, in which the side conceded eight goals.
Carrick had initially taken charge on an interim basis after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January and later signed a two-year deal. United had been encouraged by his messaging and by a run of 12 wins in the final 17 matches of the previous season, but the current campaign began with defeat at newly promoted Hull City. The club are second bottom of the Premier League and 17th in the Champions League table.
On Wednesday, Berrada contacted the US Soccer Federation to confirm the release clause and United’s intention to activate it. Pochettino had told his employers about discussions with United and his intention to return to the Premier League. The USA have two fixtures against Haiti, with the second on 18 November; if he takes charge of that match, Pochettino is expected at United’s Carrington headquarters on 19 November, four days before Liverpool visit.
