Mauricio Pochettino used a clever trick with Spurs players that shows why he’s a great match for Man Utd.
Mauricio Pochettino is getting closer to becoming the new head coach of Manchester United, and a special approach he’s used throughout his career might help bring success to Old Trafford.
The Athletic shared on Wednesday morning that United is nearly done finalizing the deal to hire Pochettino, who would replace Michael Carrick. The club’s top bosses are set to make a final call on Carrick’s future during a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday.
If Pochettino joins United, it would be his fourth Premier League team after Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea. Right now, he’s coaching the United States men’s national team, where he’s been using ideas that could help Manchester United climb the Premier League standings.
Pochettino’s best run was with Spurs, leading them to second place in the 2015/16 Premier League and to a Champions League final in 2019. Although he was let go at the start of the 2019/20 season, Spurs fans have often hoped he would return because of the positive mark he left.
One of Pochettino’s biggest strengths is trusting young players. For example, academy midfielder Ryan Mason got called up to the senior team during Pochettino’s time in 2014 and went on to make 66 appearances over two seasons.
In a 2018 interview with ESPN, just before retiring due to a serious injury, Mason shared how Pochettino and his assistant, Jesus Perez, inspired players on the training ground. They used a mindset that changed Spurs’ fortunes.
Mason said, “I still hear Jesus’ voice now. When I feel tired, I remember him saying, ‘You’re a strong boy, Mase!’ That stayed with me. They made you trust your body and push beyond what you think is possible. It’s easy to feel worn out, but they trained your mind to tell your body it’s not done yet.”
He added that everything was positive and that the coaches understood the mental challenges players face on and off the pitch. Their approach wasn’t just about physical or tactical work—it was about life and daily mindset, covering every angle.
This method could work well at Old Trafford, where the pressure is huge for players. It also fits with what United needs, as they currently rank 19th in distance covered during games—only Liverpool is behind them. Players have faced criticism for not running enough this season, so Pochettino would likely want them to put in more effort if he takes the job.
Now, the only thing left is to pay the $10 million (£7.5m) fee to release Pochettino from his US national team contract, along with extra money to bring his key staff with him.