‘Difficult to Turn Down’: Pochettino Explains Man United Move
New Manchester United head coach Mauricio Pochettino has described the opportunity to manage the club as too significant to reject, despite the emotional difficulty of leaving his position with the United States national team.
The Argentine was confirmed as Michael Carrick’s successor on Friday after agreeing to a two-and-a-half-year contract at Old Trafford.
His appointment comes shortly after he signed a four-year contract extension with the United States, but the Premier League club reportedly activated a release clause worth about £7.4m to secure his departure.
Speaking at his first news conference following the announcement, the 54-year-old admitted that the decision to leave the national team was not easy.
“It’s difficult to talk now,” he said. “I’m a very emotional guy. It’s a very sad decision.
“But we are professionals and we are trying to make our dreams come true.”
Pochettino said Manchester United’s stature made the offer particularly difficult to turn down, describing such opportunities as rare in a manager’s career.
“I never said I wanted to go back but they know there aren’t too many opportunities that happen in your career like Manchester United,” he said.
“When it arrives, it’s difficult to turn down.”
He will remain in charge of the United States for their two matches against Haiti on November 14 and 18 before completing his departure.
Pochettino takes over a United side struggling in the Premier League after winning just once in their opening 10 matches, leaving them 18th in the table.
His appointment followed Carrick’s dismissal on Thursday, ending the club’s search for a successor.
The Argentine’s first match in charge is scheduled for November 22, when United travel to Anfield to face Liverpool.
Pochettino’s arrival also brings to an end Manchester United’s longstanding interest in him. The club had previously considered appointing him in 2016, 2018, 2022 and 2024 before finally securing his services.
By Oluwafemi Shodipe.
