Harry Kane backs Mauricio Pochettino for Manchester United job

Harry Kane says Manchester United would be appointing a “great manager” if they replace Michael Carrick with Mauricio Pochettino.

United are expected to dismiss Carrick during the current international break after making their worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

A 4-4 home draw with Aston Villa last Sunday left United 18th in the table, with only one win from their opening 10 matches. Carrick’s side have also been eliminated from the Carabao Cup, losing 3-2 at home to Brighton in September.

Manchester United have already reached an agreement in principle with Pochettino, who is manager of the United States national team. However, his contract contains a $10m (£7.4m) release clause.

The 54-year-old Argentine is expected to be available to take charge of United for their next Premier League fixture, against Liverpool on 22 November.

Kane worked with Pochettino for five years at Tottenham Hotspur, during which time they reached the League Cup final and the Champions League final. The Bayern Munich striker has now endorsed the possibility of his former manager moving to Old Trafford.

Asked about Pochettino potentially becoming United manager, Kane said: “Obviously, my relationship with Mauricio is great.”

He added, as quoted by the English newspaper Metro: “I mentioned him as one of the coaches who had a huge impact on my career and development.

“At that stage of my career, I needed his guidance and the way he motivated me, not only on the pitch but off it as well. He was hugely helpful.”

Kane continued: “Obviously, he is a great manager. He has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world. From my point of view, I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

He concluded: “We’ll have to wait and see what happens, but I know he is a great man and a great manager as well.”

Kane came through Tottenham Hotspur’s academy and established himself in the first team during the 2014-15 season. He spent almost 10 years at the club, becoming their record goalscorer with 280 goals in 435 appearances in all competitions.

He scored 213 Premier League goals, won the Premier League Golden Boot three times and helped Tottenham Hotspur reach the Champions League final in 2019.

In August 2023, Kane joined Bayern Munich in search of the major honours that had eluded him at Tottenham Hotspur. He made an immediate impact in Germany, finishing as the Bundesliga’s leading scorer in his first season with 36 goals.

Kane has since won two Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal and the German Super Cup with Bayern Munich, beginning to add team trophies to a career in which he had previously been one of the world’s leading goalscorers without major club silverware.