Why Mauricio Pochettino Is Still Leading the USA Before Manchester United

Two final games with USA

Pochettino will lead the Americans on Saturday and Tuesday against Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. He is due to leave for Manchester United afterward. His first match with the Premier League club is the Nov. 22 visit to rivals Liverpool. The timing of the international window allows him to finish the Haiti games before beginning his United role.

Why the roles overlap

Manchester United is on a break during the international window, when players return to their national teams for official FIFA matches. That pause makes it possible for Pochettino to handle the USA games before joining the club.

A sudden departure would have left the U.S. in a difficult position because Manchester United also hired Pochettino’s coaching staff.

Reported release payments

As part of the agreement, Manchester United reportedly paid U.S. Soccer $10 million to release Pochettino from his contract. The club also paid an additional $2 million for his staff.

Earlier managers held dual roles

Pochettino is not the first manager to serve a national team and a club at overlapping times. Alex Ferguson led Aberdeen while acting as Scotland’s interim manager in 1986.

Guus Hiddink managed Russia while serving as Chelsea’s interim manager in 2009. Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti was Mexico’s caretaker manager in 1993, 2013 and 2015 during his Liga MX career.