Manchester United eyes Pochettino as U.S. Soccer weighs Pep Guardiola
U.S. Soccer regards Pep Guardiola as its main candidate to take over the United States men’s national team if Mauricio Pochettino leaves the post, according to a report published in November 2026. Inside the federation, officials have discussed the name of the 55-year-old Spanish coach at several stages of technical planning.
The possible change depends on Manchester United. The English club wants Pochettino to replace Michael Carrick, who came under heavy pressure after collecting just eight points in the first ten rounds of the Premier League.
Pochettino, however, is bound by a long-term contract. In the European summer of 2026, the Argentine coach extended his deal with the federation until after the 2030 World Cup, so any move would require a negotiation. Reports say the extension was signed in August, and Manchester United would reportedly have to pay a buyout clause of nearly $10 million.
Guardiola’s break from coaching and Italy refusal complicate a quick deal
Convincing Guardiola to return to the dugout right away is the main obstacle for U.S. officials. The Spaniard left Manchester City at the end of the 2025-26 season, closing a ten-year cycle, and has shown little appetite for taking charge of another team in the short term.
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In 2026, Guardiola turned down an official invitation to coach the Italian national team. Giovanni Malagò, president of the Italian federation, confirmed the decision while commenting on the talks.
Malagò gave his reason in a short comment on the negotiations. “Pep was honest. He decided to take a break, also for family reasons,” said Giovanni Malagò, in a free translation from Italian.
According to the Italian official, if Guardiola had chosen to accept an international job at that time, the Italy national team would have been the choice.
Ties to New York and past contacts fuel U.S. interest
Personal and historical factors still bring Guardiola closer to the United States. After leaving Barcelona in 2012, he spent a sabbatical year living in New York, a period in which he enjoyed anonymity away from the European football routine.
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U.S. officials have also held earlier contacts with the Spaniard in past cycles. His record with clubs in Spain, Germany and England underpins the federation’s interest, and the main points of that résumé are listed below.
- Age and status: 55 years old, free agent since leaving Manchester City in the European summer of 2026
- Manchester City: ten years in charge, with six Premier League titles and one Champions League
- Barcelona and Bayern Munich: two Champions League titles and three La Liga titles in Spain, plus three Bundesliga titles in Germany
- Condition for talks: a possible exit of Mauricio Pochettino, whose contract runs until after the 2030 World Cup, to Manchester United
Manchester United confirmed on Thursday, November 12, 2026, that Michael Carrick has left the role of men’s first-team head coach. In a statement, the club said a change was necessary and that it intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible. Pochettino is reported to have reached a verbal agreement, but no official appointment has been announced. He is expected to remain with the national team for the November camp and the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti, on Saturday in Miami and on Tuesday in Cincinnati.
