Struggling Premier League giants Manchester United have fired Michael Carrick and are closing in on a deal to replace him with US men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino.
United were hopeful of announcing Pochettino’s appointment before he takes charge of the US in upcoming games against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday.
While the move could end years of decline for the 20-time English champions, the loss of Pochettino would be a major blow to American soccer so soon after he signed a four-year contract extension through to the 2030 World Cup.
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Carrick was fired after overseeing United’s worst start to a Premier League season, leaving them in the relegation zone after 10 games.
Former Spurs, Chelsea and Paris St Germain boss Pochettino is seen as the man to resurrect the once dominant club’s fortunes after years of decline.
The 54-year-old Argentine had previously been a leading candidate for the job in 2022 when Erik ten Hag was ultimately hired, but ‘Poch’ went on to take the US job in 2024, leading them to a win over the Socceroos en route to the round-of-16 at their home World Cup last year.
Mauricio Pochettino is set to take the Man Utd manager’s job after Michael Carrick’s sacking. Credit: AAP Carrick’s departure comes less than six months after he was given a two-year contract and the responsibility of bringing the good times back to United, who haven’t won the league since managerial great Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
But a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday left United 18th in the 20-team standings after just one league win all season. With eight points from 10 games, it’s United’s worst start for 40 years.
If Pochettino arrives at Old Trafford, he’ll be their eighth permanent manager since Ferguson’s departure 13 years ago, a turbulent period in which the club has been overtaken by Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.
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Carrick, a serial title-winner as a player under Ferguson, was appointed on a short-term deal midway through last season and guided the team to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification.
That earned him a long-term contract but things have unravelled quickly this season, with just three wins in all competitions, an eight-game winless run in the league and elimination from the League Cup.
Top players Bruno Fernandes, the team captain, and Lisandro Martinez have also added to the sense of crisis with criticism of tactics and the club’s leadership, respectively.
“Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend,” United said. “Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club.
“His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.”
But the firing of another manager will only increase scrutiny on United’s ownership, the Glazer family, in the United States and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, through his INEOS petrochemicals group — as they’re blamed by fans for the club’s current plight.
Supporters staged their latest protests against the owners during the Villa game, calling on them to sell the club.
– By AP
Crystal Palace age of Sage over as manager gets the sack Crystal Palace have fired manager Pierre Sage, bringing the Frenchman’s five-month tenure to an end after the London side’s poor start to the Premier League season left them bottom of the table.
Sage’s departure on Thursday followed a 3-1 home loss to Liverpool last weekend, their fourth-straight Premier League defeat.
“Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Pierre Sage has left his role as manager,” Palace said in a statement.
“Three members of Pierre’s coaching staff – Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard – have also left the club.”
Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been sacked with his side at the bottom of the Premier League. Credit: AAP The 47-year-old, who managed Ligue 1 sides RC Lens and Olympique Lyonnais, took charge at Selhurst Park in June.
Sage replaced Oliver Glasner, who left at the end of the 2025-26 season after leading Palace to a European trophy in the Conference League.
Palace won two Premier League matches under Sage, but a string of defeats, including a 5-0 loss to great rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, has left them with seven points from 10 games.
They also have the worst defensive record in the top-flight after conceding 24 goals.
Reports say former Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford manager Thomas Frank is the leading candidate to replace Sage.
– Reuters