Mauricio Pochettino's USA contract clause explained as Manchester United finalise deal

Reports emerged on Monday evening that a decision has been made to dismiss the under-pressure boss with the club in the Premier League relegation zone.

As many of the squad fly out for international duty with their respective nations, Carrick remains at the training ground to oversaw a depleted first-team group while work continues on finalising a deal to appoint Pochettino

The Athletic report that talks with Pochettino’s representatives began on Tuesday, and BBC Sport add that the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager is ready to accept a job offer.

But, before any announcement, Pochettino must be bought out of his contract with US Soccer.

Mauricio Pochettino is the favourite for Man Utd job

London Standard

Mauricio Pochettino’s USA contract clause explained

Pochettino has not been involved in club management since his decision to leave Chelsea, by mutual contest, two and a half years ago.

The Argentine had spent just one year in west London, and was soon after lured by the USA national team to guide them into their home World Cup where they were knocked out at the last-16 stage.

Pochettino was heavily linked with a return to Tottenham before the World Cup, and was widely expected to leave the USMNT setup after the tournament.

However, in August, Pochettino signed a new contract to guide the national team into the 2030 World Cup.

But, with Man Utd now knocking, Pochettino is ready to head back to the Premier League.

Man Utd will have to cough up to appoint him.

According to The Athletic, there is a buyout clause in Pochettino’s contract worth $10million (£7.44m) which Man Utd can trigger to bring back him to England.

However, the buyout clause does not cover Pochettino’s coaching staff, many of who - such as assistant Jesus Perez - has been with him most the majority of his career.

Given it is the international break, Pochettino is currently with his USMNT squad, at the team’s training center in North Carolina, ahead of two Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti on Saturday and next Tuesday.

Pochettino is currently scheduled to speak to reporters on Friday at his traditional pre-match press conference.