Mauricio Pochettino is the 54-year-old Argentine manager appointed head coach of Manchester United on Friday 13 November 2026, on a two-and-a-half-year deal running to June 2029. He arrives from the United States, leaving a job he called the toughest decision of his career, in tears at his farewell press conference.
He takes charge on 18 November 2026, with United 18th after the sacking of Michael Carrick, and his first match is the trip to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 22 November. This biography covers his age, height, career, wife, sons, salary and net worth.
| Full Name | Mauricio Roberto Pochettino Trossero |
| Date of Birth | 2 March 1972 |
| Age | 54 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft) |
| Birthplace | Murphy, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| Occupation | Football manager (head coach, Manchester United) |
| Known For | 2019 Champions League final with Tottenham; USA at the 2026 World Cup; Man Utd head coach from Nov 2026 |
| Spouse | Karina Grippaldi |
| Children | Sebastiano Pochettino, Maurizio Pochettino |
| Net Worth 2026 | Estimated ~$40 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2026) |
Mauricio Pochettino Early Life and Playing Career
Mauricio Roberto Pochettino Trossero was born on 2 March 1972 in Murphy, a small town in Santa Fe province, Argentina. He began his professional career as a central defender with Newell’s Old Boys in 1989, and spent five years there before moving to Spain in 1994 to join Espanyol, where he won the Copa del Rey in 2000 and 2006.
In 2001 he moved to Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons, then a loan at Bordeaux and a return to Espanyol, where he retired in 2006. For Argentina he won 20 caps between 1999 and 2002 and played at the 2002 World Cup, where his challenge on Michael Owen gave England a penalty. The 1.82 m defender built a reputation for organisation and intensity that would later define his teams as a coach.
Mauricio Pochettino Managerial Career
Pochettino moved into management with Espanyol in 2009, taking over a side in the relegation zone and keeping them up. In January 2013 he arrived in English football with Southampton, guiding the Saints to eighth place in 2013–14 with a young side playing the pressing football he still favours. That work earned him the Tottenham Hotspur job in May 2014.
At Tottenham he built the best Spurs side of the modern era, challenging for the title in 2015–16 and 2016–17, and in 2019 reaching the club’s first Champions League final, beating Ajax in the semi-final before losing 2–0 to Liverpool in Madrid. He left in November 2019, and in January 2021 took over Paris Saint-Germain, winning Ligue 1 in 2021–22 and the Coupe de France in 2021, and coaching Kylian Mbappe. One season at Chelsea followed in 2023–24, ending in sixth place and a parting by mutual consent.
His high-pressing, youth-trusting style — a “dynamic, attacking approach”, in United’s words — is why United turned to him.
Mauricio Pochettino USMNT and the 2026 World Cup
On 10 September 2024, Pochettino was announced as head coach of the United States, succeeding Gregg Berhalter after the 2024 Copa América. It was his first international job, in charge of a host nation heading into a home World Cup. He led the Americans to the last 16 of the home 2026 World Cup, and on 3 August 2026 the federation extended his contract through the 2030 World Cup.
Three months later, Manchester United came calling, and within days US Soccer agreed to release him and his staff. At his press conference before his penultimate US game, Pochettino broke down in tears. “In some part, this is a very sad decision. In another part, we are professionals. This is the next step to try and make your dreams come true,” he said, as reported by Sky Sports. “We learned a lot from you all, this amazing country and you amazing people. This is one of the most difficult decisions of my career.”
He stayed on to coach the United States in their two Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals against Haiti on 14 and 17 November, before flying to England. His elder son Sebastiano worked alongside him on the US staff as a fitness coach, making the departure a family farewell as well as a professional one.
Mauricio Pochettino Manchester United Appointment
Manchester United confirmed the appointment on Friday 13 November 2026, a day after sacking Michael Carrick. Carrick had been dismissed with United 18th after one win in 10 league games, the club’s worst start since 1986, and, as reported by the Press Association, Pochettino was the only coach the club spoke to directly about succeeding him. He has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract running until June 2029, and United reportedly paid around £7.4 million ($10 million) to trigger the release clause in his United States contract.
He takes charge on Wednesday 18 November, meets the squad and takes training the next day, and, as reported by Sky Sports, will have three training sessions before the trip to Anfield. His first match is against Liverpool on Sunday 22 November, one of the hardest possible introductions. He becomes United’s eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, taking over a relegation-zone club whose modern story includes Cristiano Ronaldo‘s two spells at Old Trafford.
Mauricio Pochettino Personal Life and Net Worth 2026
Pochettino is married to Karina Grippaldi, whom he met at a nightclub in Rosario in 1991, as reported by The Sun. They married in the early 1990s; both their sons work in football. The elder, Sebastiano, is a sports scientist and fitness coach who has worked alongside his father at Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and the United States. The younger, Maurizio, is a winger who came through Watford’s youth ranks and plays for Inter Club d’Escaldes in Andorra. Pochettino also holds Spanish citizenship.
Celebrity Net Worth puts his net worth at around $40 million (June 2026), and The Sun reported a £40 million fortune in November 2026. Older estimates put it closer to £12 million, so the higher figure is an estimate, not a fact. His United States contract was reported to be worth around £4.6 million a year, and his Manchester United salary has not been disclosed. His wealth was built across a long playing career and 15-plus years in management, including a reported £12.5 million severance package from Tottenham in 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Mauricio Pochettino?
Mauricio Pochettino is 54, born on 2 March 1972 in Murphy, Santa Fe, Argentina.
When does Mauricio Pochettino start as Manchester United head coach?
Pochettino takes charge at Manchester United on Wednesday 18 November 2026, after the United States’ two Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals against Haiti. His first match is at Liverpool on Sunday 22 November 2026.
Why did Mauricio Pochettino leave the USMNT?
Pochettino left the United States to become Manchester United head coach, who triggered a reported £7.4 million ($10 million) release clause. He had extended his US deal in August 2026 to the 2030 World Cup, but called leaving “the toughest decision of his career” and broke down in tears at his farewell press conference.
How tall is Mauricio Pochettino?
Mauricio Pochettino is 1.82 metres tall (6 feet), as widely reported across his player and manager profiles.
Who is Mauricio Pochettino’s wife?
Pochettino’s wife is Karina Grippaldi, met in Rosario in 1991 and married in the early 1990s. Their sons are Sebastiano, a sports scientist and fitness coach on his father’s staff, and Maurizio, a professional winger.
What is Mauricio Pochettino’s net worth in 2026?
Mauricio Pochettino’s net worth is estimated at around $40 million by Celebrity Net Worth in 2026, and The Sun reported a £40 million fortune in November 2026. The figure is not officially disclosed, and older estimates put it closer to £12 million. His Manchester United salary has not been disclosed.
