Manchester United have sacked manager Michael Carrick with the club in the Premier League relegation zone and are finalising a deal to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as his successor.
The club said it had reached an “extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary.” Carrick was dismissed on Thursday morning.
United have agreed a deal for Pochettino, currently coach of the United States national team, and his staff. Chief executive Omar Berrada has contacted US Soccer officials about a £7 million release clause in the Argentine’s contract, which is expected to be triggered as a formality.
Pochettino is understood to have told the US federation he wants the Old Trafford job. He is expected to stay in charge of the USA for their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final ties against Haiti this week, then arrive in Manchester to begin training on 18 or 19 November. His first match is likely to be the Premier League trip to Liverpool on 22 November.
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust reacted to the sacking by saying: “It is time for the owners to explain themselves.”
BBC Sport correspondent Simon Stone reported that the board had judged the results, overall situation and league position “unacceptable.”
Pochettino previously managed Tottenham, Chelsea, Southampton and Paris Saint-Germain. He has long been linked with the United job and met Sir Alex Ferguson in 2016.
Since Ferguson retired in 2013, United have had eight managers in 13 years, by one count. Including interim and caretaker bosses, the number rises to 12.
In a separate move on Thursday, Crystal Palace sacked manager Pierre Sage after five months in charge, with the club bottom of the Premier League. Former Brentford and Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is in advanced talks to replace him.
