Manchester United sack Carrick after one win in 11 games

Manchester United have sacked head coach Michael Carrick, with the club in the Premier League relegation zone and Mauricio Pochettino, the USA national team coach, lined up to replace him. The club confirmed the decision on Thursday and said it would appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible, according to Al Jazeera.

Carrick, 45, leaves six months after being given the job permanently. The Guardian reported that United's hierarchy considered 18th place unacceptable and concluded another coach could get far more from the squad.

The key numbers behind the decision

One win in 11 games. The New York Times reported that last week's victory over Roma is United's only win in their last 11 matches in all competitions.
Eight points from 10 league games. Al Jazeera said this leaves United 18th. The Guardian put them a point behind 17th-placed Coventry. United's only league win came at home to Ipswich Town.
4-4. United drew with Aston Villa on Sunday. The Guardian said they twice came back from two goals down, and Al Jazeera said they needed a stoppage-time equaliser.
39 points from 17 games. The New York Times said this was United's haul after Carrick took over as interim coach last season, lifting them from seventh to third. The Guardian said he won 12 and drew three of those 17 games.
$10 million. This is the approximate release fee for Pochettino. The New York Times converted it to £7.4 million, while the Guardian gave about £7.5 million.
22 November. United's next match is at Liverpool's Anfield, according to Al Jazeera.

How the decision was reached

The Guardian reported that a review led by director of football Jason Wilcox ended in a recommendation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls sporting policy. Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada then travelled to Monaco to meet him. The sacking was signed off at a board meeting involving the Glazer family, the paper said.

The New York Times reported that Berrada told Carrick at the Carrington training ground on Thursday morning. His staff, including Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans, are also leaving, the paper said. Carrick had taken training on Tuesday and Wednesday as normal.

The club's statement called the decision an "extremely difficult conclusion" and described Carrick as a Manchester United legend. It said his leadership and achievements last season would be fondly remembered.

Carrick had been given more time after a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth, which came days after a 4-1 Champions League loss at Como. The Guardian said United felt that performances against Roma, Villa and in a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea showed they were on the wrong path. That period also included Bruno Fernandes challenging Carrick's tactics and Lisandro Martinez criticising Wilcox, the Guardian reported.

Pochettino and the cost of the change

The Guardian said Pochettino has a framework agreement to join United. The New York Times reported that United were finalising a deal before making formal contact with U.S. Soccer. His contract with the American federation runs to the 2030 World Cup, so his buyout would have to be paid. Al Jazeera said his release had reportedly been arranged. Pochettino previously managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea.

The Guardian said United would have to pay extra to bring his backstage staff. The New York Times said his current staff, including long-time assistant Jesus Perez, are set to follow him. Reports also named Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte as other candidates, but Al Jazeera said Pochettino had overtaken the others as favourite.

What this means for United supporters

For fans, the immediate effect is a new head coach, and probably a new coaching team, with the club in the bottom three and little time before the next fixture. Al Jazeera reported that a change was expected during the international break, with a new figure likely to lead the team at Anfield on 22 November. Pochettino has not been formally announced as of Thursday.

The Guardian noted that Carrick is the second head coach United have sacked within one calendar year, after Ruben Amorim left in January, which it described as a first for the club. The New York Times reported that United have spent more than £50 million on removing managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

What happens next

United are expected to announce a successor during the international break. The New York Times said Pochettino is with the US team for Concacaf Nations League quarter-final games against Haiti over the next week, so the arrangement with U.S. Soccer will need to be settled first.

Around Prague, based on reporting by The New York Times, Al Jazeera, The Guardian

Cover photo: Timmy96 / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)

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