Mauricio Pochettino: Man United could instantly regret appointment, this is why

Analysis questions whether Pochettino's history of slow starts at Southampton, Spurs, PSG and Chelsea makes him the right fit for United's immediate crisis.

Manchester United are poised to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as manager following Michael Carrick's sacking, but a detailed examination of his managerial record reveals a concerning pattern of poor starts at his previous clubs.

Pochettino won just one of his first 11 games at Espanyol, one of seven at Southampton, two of six at Tottenham, and one of six in his opening Premier League matches at Chelsea in 2023. While he eventually succeeded at most of these clubs, the immediate struggles could prove catastrophic for United, who currently fight to escape the relegation zone and need instant improvement.

Former United chief scout Mick Brown expressed doubts about the appointment, noting that while Pochettino's Tottenham tenure is widely praised, his struggles at PSG and Chelsea are often overlooked. Brown suggested other options may be available and expressed hope that Pochettino proves doubters wrong.