Pochettino to lead the US against Haiti in two matches before expected Manchester United move
United States men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino will lead the team through the remainder of this international window, a source with direct knowledge of US Soccer's plans told The Guardian on Thursday.
Pochettino has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Michael Carrick, who was sacked as Manchester United manager on Thursday.
The Guardian previously reported that the framework of a deal had been agreed between Pochettino and United. The Athletic was first to report the news of Pochettino's plans for the upcoming US matches.
The US face Haiti on Saturday and then again on Tuesday, in Miami and Cincinnati respectively, in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Nations League.
Pochettino has been leading the US through training at the federation's headquarters and training facility outside Atlanta this week. The Argentinian has yet to publicly address his link to United, though he is scheduled to speak to reporters on Friday morning.
United have also officially made contact with US Soccer in an approach for Pochettino's services, multiple sources familiar with the negotiations said on Thursday. Pochettino and his representatives had already ironed out details of a proposed agreement, keeping the federation appraised of the ongoing talks.
United would need to pay a buyout clause of $10m (£7.5m) to hire Pochettino, and millions more, reportedly, to bring along his longtime assistant coaching staff, who are also expected to make the move.
At US training this week, Pochettino's players have addressed the still-fluid situation surrounding their head coach. Striker Folarin Balogun told reporters on Thursday: 'If I had a vote, I'd like to keep things the way they are.'
On Tuesday, defender Antonee Robinson downplayed the significance of Pochettino's reported departure, saying soccer players are used to fast-moving training environments and games, and that everyone focuses on the next task, the next session or the next game coming up.
