Manchester United confirmed Michael Carrick’s departure as men’s first-team head coach on November 12, 2026 and said it wants a permanent successor quickly. Its statement names no replacement. The Guardian reports a framework agreement with Mauricio Pochettino, a different stage from a club announcement appointing him.

The change follows a sharp reversal from Carrick’s earlier spell. United’s statement credits his January return with 12 wins in the final 17 league games of 2025/26 and a third-place finish. The club’s assessment of this season is markedly different, despite that recent qualification for the Champions League.

United confirmed Carrick’s departure and intent to appoint a permanent successor, without naming one. The Guardian reports a Pochettino framework agreement. Last season’s run-in:12wins in17leaguegames,thirdplace. NextfixtureNov22LiverpoolatAnfield.
Official club decisions and a separately attributed report, followed by the next scheduled fixture. Original editorial diagram, checked November 12, 2026; sources: Manchester United and the Guardian. View full-size graphic ↗

Why United made the change

United cites the disappointing start as its reason for changing coach. The Guardian places the side 18th in the Premier League and reports only three wins in all competitions this season. The club’s own results page records the latest league match as a 4–4 home draw with Aston Villa on November 8, following a 3–2 Champions League win over Roma.

A win and a draw in those two matches brought points, but United has judged the opening run as a whole insufficient. Its praise for Carrick’s previous campaign and its decision to replace him now address different periods. The transition follows that assessment of current results.

Reported agreement and confirmed appointment

The Guardian’s November 12 report identifies Pochettino, the USA head coach, as United’s target and describes a framework agreement. United’s departure statement stops at an intention to hire a permanent successor. It gives neither a name nor an appointment date, so the reported agreement should retain its attribution.

Supporters can follow the official club news page for the successor announcement. A named appointee, the length of the agreement and a starting date would make the next stage concrete. None is provided in the departure statement, so there is no confirmed timetable to attach to the reported negotiations.

The next fixtures and the next decision

On United’s published fixture list, the next match is Liverpool at Anfield on November 22, followed by Sporting in Lisbon on November 25. The linked fixtures page provides the current match-centre routes. These scheduled opponents set the immediate context for the transition; they do not establish who will be in the dugout or which broadcaster a reader can use.

United has made the coaching change and declared its preference for a permanent successor. Completing that appointment is the next substantive step. Carrick’s earlier third-place finish and this season’s downturn show how quickly results can change; a new name alone cannot establish how the team will perform in the forthcoming fixtures.

Sources & context

Public original sources checked November 12, 2026. Confirmed facts, attributed reports and unannounced conditions are distinguished.

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