Pochettino expected to coach USMNT games vs. Haiti amid Man United talks

Coverage from ESPN indicates that Manchester United has contacted U.S. Soccer regarding Mauricio Pochettino, with a meeting involving Michael Carrick scheduled for Thursday. Despite these negotiations, Pochettino is expected to remain on the touchline for the upcoming USMNT fixtures against Haiti. The reports suggest United is advancing a succession plan that would see Pochettino replace Carrick, yet the Argentine manager's immediate focus remains on the national team matches. U.S. Soccer has not publicly confirmed whether permission has been granted for formal talks, but the expectation that Pochettino will coach the Haiti games implies continuity in the short term.

Multiple outlets are tracking the story from different angles. ESPN provides the core reporting on the contact between clubs and the Carrick meeting, while Sports Illustrated frames the development as a major step in United's succession planning. Bleacher Report has already published a speculative piece listing eight potential replacements for Pochettino should he depart, and Yahoo Sports resurfaces past comments Pochettino made about Chelsea, adding context to his managerial profile. The volume of simultaneous coverage across ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, and Yahoo Sports signals high interest in the potential move.

A move for Pochettino would represent a high-profile appointment for the Premier League club and a disruptive exit for the U.S. program less than a year before the World Cup.

The immediate next steps hinge on Thursday's meeting between United and Carrick, and whether U.S. Soccer grants formal permission for negotiations to proceed. Coverage does not specify the contractual mechanisms that would allow Pochettino to leave, nor the timeline for a potential announcement. Observers will watch whether Pochettino indeed coaches the Haiti games as expected, and whether United confirms an appointment before the next international window. The situation remains fluid, with the national team's World Cup preparation timeline adding urgency to any resolution.