Emotional Pochettino calls USMNT departure “most difficult decision of career”

Mauricio Pochettino is departing the U.S. Men’s National Team for Manchester United and the Argentine head coach was visibly emotional regarding his decision.

Pochettino spoke to the media on Friday on the eve of the USMNT’s CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal first leg against Haiti, hours after the news of his departure was announced. Man United fired Michael Carrick as manager on Thursday and wasted little time in replacing him with Pochettino, who was only three months into his new, four-year contract with U.S. Soccer.

Pochettino vowed his commitment to the USMNT earlier in the summer after leading them at the World Cup but will now embark to Old Trafford with hopes of turning the tide in Manchester.

Although Pochettino is sad to be leaving the federation, he admitted the opportunity to manage one of the biggest clubs in the world was hard to pass up.

“It’s the most difficult decision of my career, but we need to move forward,” Pochettino told reporters through tears on Friday. “They know that not too many opportunities happen in your career like Manchester United. When it arrives, it’s difficult to turn down.”

Pochettino led the USMNT to a Round of 16 finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has since watched his squad win four-consecutive matches during the September-October window.

His current 21 wins at the helm are ranked as the seventh-most in program history, a spot where he will finish bearing what happens against Haiti over the next four days.

While many coaches may be emotional when they are fired from their role, Pochettino admitted Friday was the opposite for him.

“When you arrive this type of moment, always are tough moments because are not easy decisions,” Pochettino said. “Normally, it’s the opposite. You will sacked and you cry because you want to stay.

“That is opposite,” he added. “Like I said before, it’s really tough decision, but in the same time we are exciting for that step forward.”

The USMNT will aim to advance past Haiti and into the Nations League Final Four, a spot where they finished in fourth place last year. It will mark the Americans’ first competitive matches since their World Cup exit, providing them with a strong chance to continue their winning run and give Pochettino a proper sendoff.

While this time next week will see Pochettino prepare for a highly-anticipated EPL showdown with Liverpool, he remains focused on the job at hand with the USMNT until then.

“It’s not the moment to talk . It’s the moment to be committed like always,” Pochettino said of the Americans’ upcoming matches.

“We are and care because we really care, and always we are going to care about the federation and the players and all the people that is here is to be focused in the next two game because it’s really important for the federation,” he added. “The players, they are amazing, and they know how to manage this type of situation.”