Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement with Mauricio Pochettino to become their next manager, but he will not start work immediately.
Pochettino emerged as the leading candidate to replace Michael Carrick after Sunday's 4-4 draw against Aston Villa left the former midfielder on the brink, with Man United sitting in the Premier League relegation zone heading into the international break.
Carrick's Expected Departure
Carrick is due to take Man United training on Thursday, as he did on both Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Athletic. However, the expectation is that he will be relieved of his duties at Old Trafford imminently.
Man United CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are due to return from meetings in Monaco with minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and will then inform Carrick of the decision to dismiss him face-to-face.
Pursuit of Pochettino
In the meantime, United are said to have stepped up their pursuit of Pochettino. It has been widely reported that United have made formal contact with U.S. Soccer, as they look to appoint the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) boss as their next head coach.
This development follows reports overnight that Pochettino's representatives spent Tuesday discussing personal terms with club officials.
As the Argentine signed an extension with U.S. Soccer as recently as August to continue in his role as national team manager, United are required to activate the $10million (£7.4million) release clause in the 54-year-old's contract.
Complication and Timing
While United are now looking to finalise an agreement with both Pochettino and U.S. Soccer to make him Carrick's successor, there is a further complication. Pochettino is currently with the USMNT ahead of the CONCACAF Nations League two-legged quarter-final against Haiti over the next week, and the expectation is that he is likely to remain in charge of those matches before reporting to Carrington.
It is understood that Man United are comfortable with this scenario, though they do run the risk of Pochettino not having much preparation time ahead of the Premier League showdown with Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.
