Gary Neville has spoken on the news that Mauricio Pochettino will become the new manager of Manchester United following the sacking of Michael Carrick on Thursday.
Carrick was let go with United sitting 18th in the Premier League table and having won just one league match of the 2026/27 season.
United States manager Pochettino has reached an agreement with the club to replace Carrick and will start in the job on 18 November.
The Old Trafford hierarchy have been required to pay compensation to secure Pochettino’s services, with the current USMNT coach taking charge of his side’s upcoming two Nations League outings against Haiti before making the switch.
Former United captain Neville appeared on Sky Sports News after news broke of Carrick’s firing and explained why Pochettino could be the right man for the club.
“I’ve always, and I think this is public knowledge... I’ve always wanted Mauricio Pochettino as manager at [Manchester] United,” said Neville.
“I’ve said that numerous times, back when Jose Mourinho was maybe coming to Manchester United, I think maybe when Erik ten Hag came to Manchester United.
“I think he’s a brilliant person, I think he’ll handle the media, I think he understands the size of the club but it’s a monumental task to win everybody else over and get everybody on side and make sure he has a team that can compete.
Gary Neville describes Mauricio Pochettino as a "brilliant coach and a brilliant person" 🤝 pic.twitter.com/3ycddqPGHQ
“But he’s a brilliant coach with great experience and he’s a good man. And I think he also believes in young players and bringing players through and developing them and coaching them, which is what he’s going to have to do at Manchester United.
“I’ve always liked Mauricio Pochettino, whether this is the right point for him to take the Manchester United job, who knows?
“We’ll find out in the next year or two but I’m hoping that he’s made some pretty strong demands on the way in and he’s got control of the club.”
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