Pochettino in tears as he leaves USMNT for Manchester United job

Mauricio Pochettino was confirmed as Manchester United's new manager on Friday morning, bringing an emotional end to his spell in charge of the USMNT just as the team enters a Concacaf Nations League quarter-final double-header against Haiti.

Pochettino addressed reporters hours later at US Soccer's national training center in Fayetteville, Georgia, and struggled to hold back tears throughout the news conference.

He wept during his opening remarks as he thanked the US Soccer executives seated alongside him, and again when asked to explain his decision to leave for Old Trafford.

"I think [the decision was]," Pochettino said, pausing to compose himself, "one of the most difficult decisions of our careers. Thank you guys. Thank you so much."

He went on to reflect on the unusual nature of leaving a post voluntarily. "These moments are not easy decisions," he said. "Normally it's the opposite. Normally you get sacked and you cry because you want to stay and you're sacked by [the club]. It's a tough decision but at the same time we are excited for the next step forward."

Speaking to Yahoo Sports, Pochettino said the emotion of the moment had caught him off guard. "It's difficult now for me to talk," he said, "because I think I am a very emotional guy...We care. We really care, and we are always going to care about the federation, the players and all the people that are here."

Pochettino had signed a deal to remain with the US through 2030 before Manchester United's approach, and had been transparent with both the club and the federation throughout the process, Guardian US Sport reported. His departure had been one of the sport's worst-kept secrets, Yahoo Sports noted, after a week of mounting reports and rumours before Friday's official confirmation.

Pochettino is not finished with his current job just yet. He will lead the USMNT through the Nations League quarter-finals against Haiti before turning to Manchester United, whom he will manage for the first time away to Liverpool on 22 November.

Pochettino has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to replace Michael Carrick, and will have little time to work with his new squad before that opening fixture. He may look to the January transfer window to address gaps left by what Metro Football described as a disappointing summer of recruitment at Old Trafford.

Former Manchester United assistant manager Rene Meulensteen has already urged Pochettino to consider selling captain Bruno Fernandes, who Metro Football reported is valued at around £47m, after a sluggish start to the season. "In terms of Bruno, Bruno has been a fantastic servant for Manchester United over many, many years," Meulensteen told talkSPORT. "He's not hit the same levels this year round. I think he's also been, to some extent, maybe even mentally damaged by all the negativity that has surrounded the club and himself."

Attention now turns to how Pochettino balances his final USMNT commitments against Haiti with preparations for a Premier League return that begins at Anfield in little more than a week.