After a decade of mutual interest, Mauricio Pochettino is poised to become Manchester United manager. The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss has never hidden his desire to return to club management, and United is a club that is difficult to turn down.
A High-Risk Appointment
The move represents a huge gamble for Pochettino given the current state of Old Trafford, the dysfunctional boardroom, and the reality that a manager can only be as good as the tools provided. For United, hiring a manager from international football carries risk, with Pochettino needing to prove he remains as good as he once was.
However, Pochettino is seen as someone who can win over fans, bring charisma and personality to unify a club in turmoil, and provide a footballing identity. The former Argentina World Cup star fills any room with charm, and players are expected to respond well to his man-management style.
A Long-Standing Connection
Pochettino first appeared on United's radar in 2016, when he was on a shortlist that included Jose Mourinho, who ultimately got the job. United considered him again in 2022 before choosing Erik ten Hag, and his name was mentioned before appointments of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, and Ruben Amorim.
In September, Pochettino said the "stars were not aligned" for a club job, including a potential return to Tottenham. He had taken the United States job and was leading them to the World Cup, later signing a new four-year deal. Despite insisting he stayed because of "the people" and loyalty shown to him, United is a job he could not refuse.
Why Pochettino Fits
Pochettino loves English football and England, citing similarities in passion for the game. He previously worked wonders at Southampton, led Tottenham to a Champions League final, and built one of the best teams in the club's history. At Chelsea, he lasted a year amid internal politics, though results in the second half of the season suggested he was on the right track.
His high-intensity, high-press, entertaining brand of football could motivate a United squad with limitations. At 54, this is his chance to prove himself on the biggest stage again, having previously considered a relatively easy life in international football leading the United States to the next World Cup.
After a 10-year dalliance with arguably the biggest flirt in football, United and Pochettino are now a match made in heaven.
