Tears filled Mauricio Pochettino's eyes as he discussed quitting the US national team for his dream job with Manchester United.
"A decision that in some parts, it's a very sad decision, in other parts, we are professional and we need also to try to find the next step, to try and make your dreams come true," he said.
Just three months after the US Soccer Federation announced his contract to lead the Americans through to the 2030 World Cup, Pochettino said he will depart next week for Old Trafford.
The Argentine will try to revive the 20-time English champions, who sit in the relegation zone after 10 games of the Premier League season.
"They know that there's not too many opportunities [that] can happen in your career like a side of Manchester United and, of course, when that arrives, it's difficult to turn down," Pochettino said during an emotional news conference at the US team training camp.
He signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and will take over on November 18 ahead of a crucial Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield four days later, becoming United's eighth permanent coach or manager since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Pochettino choked up at a news conference, speaking while seated between USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone and chief executive JT Batson.
"One of the most difficult decision in our career," he said, crying and rubbing his hands as Cone put a supportive hand on his back.
He did not want to speak about the state of United.
The English club said the 54-year-old was "renowned for his high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong, cohesive teams and his outstanding record of developing individual players".
It said he had "consistently performed at the highest level of football across multiple leagues".
Pochettino's appointment came one day after Michael Carrick was fired for overseeing United's worst league start in 40 years.
Manchester United sits in 18th place in the Premier League.
Pochettino and his assistants will remain with the US for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday.
The former Spurs coach took over the US team in 2024 and led the co-host Americans to the round of 16 at this year's World Cup.
The USSF is likely to inquire about Pep Guardiola's interest and also could consider elevating Under-23 coach Steve Cherundolo, a former national team defender.
The Americans' next game with the full player pool after Tuesday is likely to be in late March, so the US could take its time with its search.
Going into his final two games, Pochettino led the US to 21 wins, 12 losses and two draws — counting a penalty shootout win over Costa Rica as a draw. He was the first long-term US coach not to win any titles since Steve Sampson from 1995-98.
Pochettino said he told his US players and staff of his decision in a meeting on Thursday.
"I want to say thank you because they were very supportive and they really understand the situation," Pochettino said.
"And they know us, how committed we are for the next two games."
After coaching Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League, Espanyol in Spain and winning the French title with Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino takes a job that has proved to be too big for a succession of managers since Ferguson led the team to a record 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns during a near 27-year tenure.
United has not won the league since Ferguson's last season in 2013 and has been overtaken by rivals Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Champions League-winning coaches Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho failed to meet United's expectations, while David Moyes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag and Carrick also came up short.
Despite winning the French league with PSG in 2022, arguably Pochettino's greatest achievement was turning Tottenham into a serial title contender in the Premier League and also leading the club to the Champions League final in 2019.
He has never won a major trophy in England, most recently losing the final of the English League Cup with Chelsea in 2024.
It is not known how much Pochettino will earn at United, as typically European soccer teams do not disclose the salaries of coaches and players.
United has spent huge sums on coaches and executives over the past 13 years and paid well in excess of $100 million in severance payments alone.
