Pochettino's USMNT farewell was inevitable but it hurts all the same: 'A big thank you from my heart'

Pochettino departs the USMNT after two years to join Manchester United, with Haiti Nations League quarterfinals as his final matches.

Mauricio Pochettino is leaving his role as U.S. men's national team head coach to take charge of Manchester United, ending a two-year tenure that began in 2023. His final matches will be a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday.

At U.S. Soccer's training center in Atlanta on Friday, Pochettino became emotional while announcing his departure. "The human being is in front of everything," he said, "and that is why that is a really difficult decision, but we need to move forward.

But a big thank you from my heart." He reflected on his time with the federation, crediting the team with helping him recover motivation and the capacity to dream big after leaving Chelsea.

Pochettino's exit was widely anticipated despite signing a four-year deal in August that included a $10 million buyout clause. He had long sought a return to the Premier League and had turned down several offers before Manchester United approached him. His departure marks the end of a tenure that saw him become the USMNT's first coach with genuine international appeal.