Mauricio Pochettino is expected to become Manchester United's next manager, replacing Michael Carrick, with the club having weighed up a managerial change this week. The appointment carries a notable subplot: the Glazer family's connections to American billionaire Ken Griffin, who helped finance Pochettino's role with the United States national team.
Glazer ties to Griffin
Griffin said he was "thrilled" when Pochettino signed a new contract with the US national team over the summer. Griffin helped finance Pochettino's initial USA appointment and contributed again to retain him after the World Cup, making him one of the best-paid coaches in international football.
The Glazer family have ties to Florida-based Griffin, who had a hand in their leveraged buyout of the club in 2005. The Glazers used three New York-based hedge funds - Och-Ziff Capital Management, Perry Capital and Citadel - to borrow money to acquire a majority stake at Old Trafford. Griffin is the founder of Citadel.
Griffin was a driving force behind Pochettino getting the USA job, described on his website as a "philanthropic leadership gift", so it would not be a surprise if he advised the Glazers that the former Tottenham boss would be a strong replacement for Carrick.
Decision expected after Monaco meeting
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and United's board members met in Monaco on Wednesday to review the season and make a final decision on Carrick's future, but the groundwork has already been laid for Pochettino's appointment. The Glazers will have the final sign-off on the potential sacking and hiring process, as usual. The American family will hope the eighth permanent manager of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era can lead the club back to Premier League glory.
Pochettino was last in club management with Chelsea, guiding the Blues to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League in 2023/24. He left by mutual consent two days after the end of the season due to a breakdown in his relationship with the Chelsea board.
Pochettino's Chelsea conflict and United ambition
The Argentine had clashed with then-Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley and made it known that he was dealing with internal conflict when he spoke to the press. "It is not only if the owners are happy or the sporting directors happy… you need to ask us also, because maybe (we) say, 'we are not happy', and we accept the situation and we need to split," he said. "It is not going to be the first time the coaching staff at the end of the season decide to not keep going."
Pochettino was unwilling to fit in with Chelsea's newly imposed club structure. He was frustrated by the club's lack of transfer activity in the January window and pushed back against internal suggestions that his training methods had contributed to an injury crisis. His time at Chelsea was defined by conflict, so the Glazers have settled on the wrong man if they think Pochettino will not be demanding, although there is a feeling that he will be desperate to make it work and compromise, given his longstanding attraction to the role.
Pochettino was considered for the United job in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, but he has not been deterred by those snubs and has always privately believed the door could open again. "United have always shown interest, but the ideal scenario to manage there has never quite materialised," he said recently.
He first dined with Ferguson in 2016 and the pair have remained in touch ever since. His long-time assistant, Jesus Perez, who has worked with him in every job, would even visit Manchester on his days off during their time at Tottenham. In the summer, Pochettino joked they would end up at United.
It has felt like destiny that Pochettino would manage United, which is why he may not challenge the status quo as he did at Stamford Bridge. There will also be pressure on Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox to make his tenure a success, given their jobs could be on the line next.
A Glazer last attended a United game when Avram Glazer flew across for Manchester City's visit to Old Trafford in September. Avram is unlikely to show his face again while anger levels are so high among fans, but if Pochettino is appointed and turns the team's fortunes around, he will be back to attend a game sooner rather than later. Perhaps Ken Griffin will even be spotted alongside him in the directors' box.
