Mauricio Pochettino is set to be appointed Manchester United manager, and messages from his former players offer a glimpse of what is to come. One former player texted: "I want to congratulate you on finally getting the man you should have got years ago," while another who thrived under him for two seasons said: "He's the best. I wish him all the success."
Early Success Built on Gruelling Training
Pochettino's early success was based on gruelling training sessions to build fitness for ferocious pressing, with players returning home exhausted. Most who worked under him at Espanyol, Southampton and Tottenham remember him fondly.
His methods require buy-in from players, but he may need to compromise his philosophy initially at United, as pre-season is the ideal time to build fitness rather than during a hectic part of the campaign. The 52-year-old likes to use the Gacon test, invented by French fitness coach Georges Gacon, which involves running for 45 seconds and resting for 15 seconds, with the distance increasing by 6.25 metres each time from a starting point of 150 metres.
Timing of Appointment and Immediate Challenges
United could have appointed Pochettino over the summer, as his contract with the United States' national team was due to expire after the World Cup, but an early decision was made to hire Michael Carrick. With the busy Christmas fixture schedule approaching, how much of an immediate impact Pochettino can have on fitness remains to be seen.
Pochettino has a track record of improving teams with a distinctive attacking style, wanting his teams to play out from the back, dominate space, use numerical superiority and press diligently. Carrick's biggest wins came from counter-attacking, and his attempts to make United more possession-dominant backfired.
Easy Wins and Long-Term Vision
After Ruben Amorim's dismissal, Carrick's easy wins were reverting to a back four, recalling Kobbie Mainoo and moving Bruno Fernandes back into his favoured position. Pochettino's aim will be to make the team look well-coached and win games again. United suffered a shocking defeat against Como in the Champions League, where Carrick's limitations were exposed.
Pochettino's first two games will be against Liverpool at Anfield and Sporting Lisbon at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. He has been happy working in the USA, where he was one of the highest-paid coaches in international football, but the role pales in significance to the United job.
Pochettino has had his eye on the United job for 10 years, having been considered in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. His ability to connect with players and promote talent from within are big ticks. At Tottenham, he made players and staff greet each other with handshakes every morning.
Youth Focus and Defensive Priorities
Pochettino has taken a keen interest in the academy at every club he has managed. He once said: "If a player deserves to play, if they are 17, 18, 19 or 20, it's the same for us. If they deserve to play and show character and maturity to be given the responsibility. But for that, you need to build the player."
Carrick gave Shea Lacey a permanent first-team role, but he has been underused since scoring against Brighton in the Carabao Cup in September. Pochettino isn't afraid to see whether young players will sink or swim.
Pochettino must prioritise improving United's defence and will demand reinforcements in the summer transfer window. Ineos believe the squad is far better than results suggest, which is partly why Carrick was sacked. The club hope Pochettino is the man they have waited for, and maybe should have got all those years ago.
