Manchester United will need to pay around £7million to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager, according to reports. The former Tottenham boss, currently in charge of the United States national team, has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Michael Carrick at Old Trafford.
Carrick is expected to be relieved of his duties before United's next game against Liverpool, having overseen their worst start to a season in four decades. The club have secured only one Premier League victory since Carrick was appointed on a permanent basis in the summer, leaving them in the relegation zone with over a quarter of the season gone.
Pochettino's release clause
According to the Daily Mail, Pochettino's contract with the United States includes a buyout clause worth around £7million, despite being contracted until the summer of 2030. The report adds that Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann could also be among the contenders to succeed Carrick.
Both candidates were reportedly considered last month, when United bosses thought about sacking Carrick after the defeat to Bournemouth. Carrick was nearly dismissed following that loss, but it was eventually decided that he should be given the opportunity to turn things around.
United's search for a successor
If Carrick is axed over the coming days, it would leave the Red Devils searching for their eighth permanent manager since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. Pochettino was strongly linked with the United job before Erik ten Hag was appointed in 2022, and again when the Dutchman was sacked two years later.
Pochettino boasts plenty of Premier League experience, having previously managed Tottenham, Chelsea and Southampton in addition to a spell in charge of Paris Saint-Germain. Howe was previously viewed as the favourite to succeed Carrick, but it's claimed that no contact has been made with the former Newcastle boss.
Other contenders
It would cost United around £3m to secure Howe's signature under the terms of his exit from the Magpies on the eve of the current season. Nagelsmann, meanwhile, remains out of work since leaving his role as Germany manager following their World Cup exit in the round of 32.
