Mauricio Pochettino has reached an “agreement in principle” to become Manchester United’s next manager, and the appointment is expected to be approved in the next few days. The incoming manager has already faced three major challenges in his first months at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are turning to the 54-year-old Argentine after deciding to end Michael Carrick’s tenure at the club. The 45-year-old Englishman has led United in admirable fashion, but the results since he was given a permanent contract have been miserable. The club currently sit 18th in the table, with just one win in ten Premier League games.
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As a result, the club’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, felt he had no choice but to act – and the board has very quickly mobilised to hire former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Pochettino as Carrick’s successor.
Pochettino’s appointment has now also been approved by the US Soccer Federation, and the 54-year-old manager is expected to sit on United’s coaching bench for the away game against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 22 November.
Manchester United are set to pay around £10.5 million in compensation to sign Pochettino and four of his trusted support staff, including two of his long-time coaching allies.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has since followed up and claims that an agreement in principle has been reached, while Fabrizio Romano has given the transfer his famous “Here we go”.
Nevertheless, it seems that the hard work will start immediately for the outgoing USA national team manager. A report on Wednesday night revealed that Pochettino has already been required to lead United to the Champions League next season, according to BBC Sport.
Earlier in the week, it was also reported that Pochettino had been given the easier task of raising standards, restoring authority in the dressing room and establishing a clearer identity.
Now, according to the club’s former defender Rio Ferdinand, the new manager must also meet three requirements as a minimum if he is to be considered a success.
Rio Ferdinand sets three main goals for Pochettino at Man Utd
In his analysis of what Pochettino wants to bring to the club, Ferdinand wants the new manager to first rebuild the players’ shattered confidence, before stabilising the club – which could ultimately still see them qualify for the Champions League again next season.
Given that they are currently ten points behind the top four – albeit with Manchester City potentially dropping due to points deductions – the latter seems like a very demanding task. Nevertheless, the former defender is convinced that Pochettino is the right man for United, explaining in his podcast Rio Ferdinand Presents:
“I look at Pochettino and one of his greatest strengths is the interpersonal aspect of his management and building confidence in his players.
“It’s a big part of Manchester United right now, because we have too many broken individuals.”
Ferdinand added: “I look at that group of names and think that Pochettino is the one that stands out from the list as someone who has more of what we are looking for to save and build up a group of players.
“Standards have dropped massively, so let’s be realistic about where we are. It’s a process to get back there; we have to stabilise and get back to the Champions League again.”
With an immediate focus on how Pochettino can raise the standards, the incoming manager could also use the January window to bolster his squad.
According to a report on Wednesday, Pochettino has already set up three goals to strengthen the team in central defence.
A surprise signing of an American star is also being considered, and Pochettino will have the final say on whether United bring the striker to Old Trafford.
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