Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be appointed as Manchester United manager, with the club having already decided on his predecessor Michael Carrick's replacement. The Argentine's arrival comes as the club's ownership faces scrutiny over its handling of managerial recruitment.
Managerial Records Compared
Pochettino's career win percentage stands at 50.15, a figure that trails Pep Guardiola's 71.3 but is notable given his five-season tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, where a win rate above 50 percent is considered a solid achievement. Carrick's win percentage in his spells as Manchester United manager is 48.57.
While Carrick has no managerial honours, Pochettino's major trophy wins include a domestic cup and a league title with Paris St Germain, a club that has won Ligue 1 in 12 of the past 14 seasons.
Recent Performance and Reputation
Pochettino's one season at Chelsea saw them finish sixth in the table, having finished 12th the previous season, reach the League Cup final where they lost to Liverpool, and exit the FA Cup at the semi-final stage against Manchester City.
Despite limited recent success, Pochettino remains highly regarded by the media, with his work at Spurs particularly praised. However, his appointment is seen as a gamble, and questions remain about the club's decision-making structure.
Financial Implications
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner, and chief executive Omar Berrada could have approached Pochettino at the end of last season when his deal with the United States national team was expiring after the World Cup, avoiding an additional £7.5 million to a managerial recruitment bill now exceeding £50 million since Ratcliffe's involvement.
Pochettino's backroom staff will cost a couple of million more, and he is expected to demand a salary significantly higher than Carrick's £5 million, likely at least double, though not reaching Mikel Arteta's £20 million a year. Given the club's desperation, he may well secure those terms, leaving Pochettino with much to prove despite his reputation.
