Manchester United appear to have got the answer they wanted from Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine has reportedly agreed to become their next manager, leaving the club with one important job still to do: getting him out of his current contract.
Pochettino is still in charge of the United States national team, but his return to English football now looks a step closer. The manager has apparently made his decision. It’s up to United to sort out the rest.
Pochettino gives Manchester United the green light
Argentine journalist Gastón Edul brings the latest development, claiming Pochettino has accepted the United job.
But there’s a catch. Manchester United must now make a formal offer to the United States national team to secure his release.
Edul says the 54-year-old would leave through a contractual clause. He doesn’t mention any financial details or suggest that the formalities have already been completed.
Still, that’s quite a significant development. United have spent recent weeks facing questions over Michael Carrick’s future, with several managers linked to the job. Now, they appear to have a candidate who’s actually agreed to take it.
And of course Pochettino knows English football well enough. His previous spells at Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea mean he’d hardly be walking into unfamiliar territory.
The next move belongs to United
There’s also the awkward matter of Carrick, whose position has come under serious pressure following United’s poor start to the season.
Nothing in Edul’s update confirms his departure, of course. Nor does it mean Pochettino is already free to take over at Old Trafford. But the situation has apparently moved beyond sounding out potential candidates.
If the Argentine has indeed accepted the job, United now have to make the necessary approach to his current employers and activate the relevant clause.
Pochettino’s decision appears to have been made. United’s paperwork – and timing – are now the important bits.
