By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Premier League.
Michael Carrick has been sacked as Manchester United’s head coach less than six months after he was rewarded with the job after a successful stint in the 2025/26 season.
Carrick exit follows a review led by the director of football, Jason Wilcox, and a recommendation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who controls sporting policy.
The sacking was then signed off at a board meeting involving the Glazer family.
“Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach”, the Old Trafford club said in a statement.
“After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.”
United, who have a verbal agreement in place with US head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who they intend to appoint a permanent successor “as quickly as possible”.
As things stand, the Argentine is likely to remain in charge of the USA for their Nations League against Haiti on Saturday and Wednesday before starting work next Thursday.
Pochettino – whose release from the contract extension he signed as USA head coach has reportedly been arranged – would become the eighth permanent man in charge at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in May 2013 after more than 26 years in the job.
United are third from bottom of the Premier League, a point behind 17th-placed Coventry, and 17th in the Champions League standings.