Pochettino, the new Manchester United coach, faces tough challenges

Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as Manchester United's new head coach following the departure of Michael Carrick. The Argentine will face a major test in his role amid the team's disastrous Premier League campaign. He has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club.

Former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim last season. Under his leadership, the team, which was in a mid-table position, rose to third place in the league, securing a place in the Champions League. However, things changed after he was appointed as the permanent head coach. He was sacked after just 15 matches.

Carrick's departure was confirmed by his failure to deal with internal conflicts and the team's position in the Premier League relegation zone. Manchester United sacked him last Thursday during the international break. Pochettino was then given the task of navigating the club's difficult times.

BBC Sport, citing various sources, reported that Manchester United has signed Pochettino until June 2029. He previously took charge of the United States national team in September 2024. Under his leadership, the team has won 21 of 35 matches and lost 12. Under Pochettino's coaching, the United States reached the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup last year. They also made it to the last 16 of the last World Cup.

However, the challenge facing Pochettino in his new role is not easy at all. Manchester United has fallen into the Premier League relegation zone for the first time in the 21st century. They have won just one of their last 10 league matches. In such a situation, his main goal will be to turn the team around.

Pochettino faces a big test in his first match as new manager. Manchester United face arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield on November 22. The team then travel to Portugal for a Champions League match against Sporting. Pochettino's first home game is against Brentford on November 28. His team then take on Newcastle United and Coventry City.

Pochettino's journey as a coach began in 2009 at Spanish club Espanyol. He later took charge of Southampton and played a role in helping the club achieve the highest points in the Premier League in its history in 2014.

Pochettino then took his coaching career to new heights with Tottenham Hotspur, helping them qualify for the Champions League for four consecutive seasons and reaching the final of Europe's premier competition for the first time in the club's history in 2019.

The Argentine joined French club PSG in 2021. There, he won the Ligue 1 title, the French Cup and the Trophee des Champions. After taking charge of Chelsea in 2023, he took over as coach of the United States national team for the first time in 2024.

Pochettino is set to begin a new chapter in his reign at Manchester United, but the big question now is whether he can pull the storied club out of relegation trouble and bring them back to the top flight.