Mauricio Pochettino’s first call as Manchester United head coach has not yet been made. The man he wants to speak to is Sir Alex Ferguson.
Pochettino confirmed in an interview with Telegraph Sport that the two have not spoken since United announced him as Michael Carrick’s successor on Friday. He plans to fix that once his duties with the United States national team are over.
“Not yet, but for sure I will have the opportunity after Tuesday,” Pochettino said of a conversation with Ferguson.
“For me, Sir Alex Ferguson represents everything that I admire from a coach, a head coach, a man, a manager and I think he represents my values. I really admire him.”
Read also: Viktor Gyokeres breaks Nations League record as Arsenal striker scores twice for Sweden
10 games in 39 days
The bigger problem is the calendar. United reports to Carrington on Wednesday, November 18, holds its first training session under Pochettino on the Thursday, then travels to Anfield three days later. Pochettino told reporters his new schedule leaves 10 matches across 39 days once he lands in Manchester, a run he described as very intense, and whether the Ferguson meeting fits in before the Liverpool fixture or sits a little later depends on which gap opens first.
United in 18th, Carrick gone
The Argentine inherits a club in 18th place with one league win and eight points from 10 Premier League matches, a single point above bottom club Crystal Palace and the club’s worst start to a league campaign in 40 years. Carrick was dismissed on Thursday, November 12, after three wins in 15 matches across all competitions, with the decision taken following crisis talks in Monaco earlier in the week.
Pochettino signed a two-and-a-half-year contract running to the summer of 2029. United paid US Soccer an initial $7m (£5.3m) to release him from a deal that had been built to run through to the 2030 World Cup.
Goodbye to the USA
The move closes a two-year chapter with the United States national team, under whom the co-hosts reached the round of 16 at this summer’s World Cup on home soil before being eliminated. Pochettino kept his farewell short after the Haiti opener.
Read also: Tenerife players pay emotional tribute to teammate who died after goalkeeper collision
“It’s always difficult to say goodbye, but life is like this,” he told reporters.
The USMNT closes its CONCACAF Nations League double-header against Haiti on Tuesday. Pochettino’s first training session with his Manchester United squad is on Thursday, November 19. Kickoff at Anfield is on Sunday, November 22.
Read also: Ronaldinho makes stunning return to professional football at 46 after 11 years away
