Pochettino the manager, as seen by Tottenham, Chelsea and USMNT reporters

Feature examining Pochettino's managerial record at Tottenham, Chelsea and USMNT ahead of his Manchester United appointment.

Manchester United are finalising a deal to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as head coach after years of speculation linking the two. BBC Sport has gathered analysis from reporters who covered the Argentinian closely at his previous clubs to assess what he could bring to Old Trafford and where potential pitfalls lie.

Dan Kilpatrick, who covered Pochettino's Tottenham tenure, praised his ability to operate on a shoestring budget and consistently punch above his weight, leading Spurs to their best Premier League finishes and a Champions League final. However, Kilpatrick noted Pochettino's occasional lack of ruthlessness and indifference to domestic cups, and questioned whether he should be taking another "unmanageable" job given ownership issues at United.

Chelsea writer Liam Twomey highlighted Pochettino's strength in developing young players and creating a positive environment, but pointed to defensive vulnerabilities — Chelsea conceded 63 league goals in 2023-24 when his high-intensity pressing was breached. USMNT expert Paul Tenorio credited Pochettino's ability to diagnose and correct cultural problems within the squad, though noted he sometimes overcorrected based on experience.