Mauricio Pochettino broke down in tears and admitted opting to leave the United States for Manchester United was “one of the most difficult decisions in my career”.
The Argentine has accepted the role at Old Trafford and will replace Michael Carrick, who was sacked on Thursday, with United in the Premier League relegation zone having won one other first 10 games.
But he conceded he was leaving US Soccer with a heavy heart after two years in charge of the national team.
“The staff and the players, I want to say thank you so much for the last two years,” he said. “You made me feel really happy sharing an amazing project. It’s difficult now for me to finish.
“We were very excited to share a project which we really believe in and are evolving together, it makes the decision harder. It’s a sad decision but we are professionals, and we need to try to find the next step to make your dreams come true.
“I didn’t prepare a speech; I am talking from the heart. We recovered our motivation and the capacity to dig deep.
“I want to recognise the value from us and me. Big thank you. You respect your work. You never lie to us. That is a difficult decision but we need to move forward.”
Normally you cry because you are sacked, says incoming United boss Pochettino
Pochettino gathered himself and joked: “It’s not an easy decision. Normally it’s the opposite. Normally, you cry because you want to stay but it’s the opposite. We are excited for the step forward but it’s a moment for commitment because we care and we always will.
“We need to focus on the next two games because they’re important. The players are amazing. The situation is not ideal. But in life, football moves quickly. We need to move forward to keep that relationship and the memories we shared.”
The 54-year-old’s final two games in charge will be the two-legged CONCACAF Nations League tie against Haiti. The first game is Miami on Friday night and the second in Cincinnati on Tuesday.
“We have time this week to talk about the job in Manchester but I think it’s much better to talk about us, about US Socce. We have two games ahead and now it’s focus on this,” he said, before explaining what he said to the squad.
“When things start to become big and big, players are very sensitive,” he added. “We were talking with the federation and yesterday, when the agreement was reached, we had a meeting and I communicated with the players. They were very supportive. US Soccer and Manchester United agreed we would continue [for this international break], and that will not change our commitment.”
Pochettino will have little time to prepare for United’s clash with Liverpool
Pochettino will fly to England next Wednesday and will have little time with his new squad prior to his first gammon charge, at Liverpool a week on Sunday.
Asked why he didn’t move to United straight away, he said: “Before being professionals we are people. The emotional link between us that we built in these two years is to show the commitment and respect and the care and the love even if we took a decision that, for one party, is maybe not the best.
“We were open, you know, because I think we have the respect of the players and the staff, and they understand the situation.
“If Manchester United and the Federation agreed on different terms, I would need to respect the agreement, but this has happened and of course all the games are important.”
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