Mauricio Pochettino fights back tears, sends first message to Man Utd players after being confirmed manager

Mauricio Pochettino has described his decision to leave his role as manager of the United States men's national team to join Manchester United as 'one of the most difficult' that he has ever made.

Pochettino will replace Michael Carrick as United head coach on November 18, with the 20-time Premier League winners confirming his appointment on Friday.

The Argentine will take charge of USMNT's two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final tie against Haiti, with the games taking place on Saturday and Tuesday respectively, and has been holding a press conference alongside US Soccer CEO JT Batson and president Cindy Parlow Cone on Friday afternoon.

'It's a very sad decision...' - Pochettino on USMNT exit

In his opening address to the media, Pochettino explained - including his backroom staff in his comments - that managing the USMNT 'recovered our motivation' to coach after he was appointed to the role following his departure from Chelsea in 2024.

The 54-year-old had to hold back tears towards the end of his address as he looked back on his time in charge, but within his comments lies a message to players at Manchester United over what he will expect from them when he takes charge at Old Trafford.

"In some part, it's a very sad decision," Pochettino said. "In another part, it's that we are professional and we need also to find the next step, try to make your dreams come true. And I think the most important thing is all that we left here; the moments that we shared together. All the things we accomplished, that we put in place. All the standards that we put together, that we increase, in our federation. Around the world, too.

"I am talking with my heart. I want to say a big thank you to you [US Soccer], because we recovered that motivation. We recovered our capacity to train players that really want to improve and really want to share good moments, and people that really care about the federation and this country, and they want to put the country and the federation in the place that they deserve to be.

"We really enjoyed it. We learned a lot from you, this amazing country, these amazing people. I think it was one of the most difficult decisions in our career [to leave]."

Following that last sentence, a visibly emotional Pochettino paused to take stock for a number of seconds before the line of questioning moved on to US Soccer CEO Batson.

Pochettino addresses Man Utd job for the first time

Pochettino did not speak directly about Manchester United, stating that it was important to be 'committed' to the USMNT until he officially leaves his role and travels to Manchester. But he did say that he was 'excited for that step forward'.

"When you arrive at this type of moment, it's always a tough moment," he admitted. "They are not easy decisions. Normally, it's the opposite. You will be sacked, and you cry because you want to stay, and you are sad!

"Like I said before, it's a really tough decision, and we are excited for that step forward. But now is not the moment to talk. It's the moment to be committed, like we always are. Because we really care, and we are always going to care about the federation, the players and all the people here. We need to be focused on the next two games."