US Soccer eyes Guardiola as Manchester United circle Pochettino

The US Soccer federation is expected to make Pep Guardiola a top target to replace US men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino if the latter decides to leave for Manchester United, German Press Agency (dpa) reported. — AFP pic

First Published: Thursday, 12 Nov 2026 6:58 PM MYT

BERLIN, Nov 12 — The US Soccer federation is expected to make Pep Guardiola a top target to replace US men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino if the latter decides to leave for Manchester United, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

According to The Athletic, a sports journalism website, Guardiola, who has been without a job since leaving Manchester City in June, has been discussed internally by US Soccer as a candidate.

It would be a first job in international management for Guardiola after a successful coaching career at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. He reportedly turned down an offer to coach Italy earlier this year.

Tensions have been high at Manchester United as their current coach Michael Carrick is on a brink of being sacked due to poor performances, which put United into the relegation zone of the Premier League.

According to media reports, Pochettino is United’s top candidate to replace Carrick.

The ex-Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss is understood to be keen on a move to Old Trafford despite just three months ago signing a contract extension to remain as US head coach until 2030.

US Soccer would be due compensation, with the release clause worth a reported US$10 million. — Bernama-PA Media/dpa