NEED TO KNOW

• Mauricio Pochettino became emotional during his farewell press conference with the United States men’s national team

• He said it was a “difficult” decision to make and to talk about “because I am a very emotional guy”

• Pochettino will begin coaching Manchester United on Nov. 18

Mauricio Pochettino gave an emotional press conference after it was announced he would be leaving the U.S. men’s national team to join Manchester United.

Pochettino, 54, spoke to media alongside the U.S. Soccer Federation’s CEO JT Batson and president Cindy Parlow Cone on Friday, Nov. 13 amid the news that he will replace Manchester United’s Michael Carrick.

Pochettino acknowledged the USMNT’s staff, players and fans in his lengthy farewell on Friday. “I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you so much,” he began.

“From the beginning, the last two years, you make me feel really well, really happy going my job, sharing an amazing project, being part of this family,” Pochettino said.

The head coach said it was “difficult now” to talk about his time with the national team “because I am a very emotional guy,” and reflected on “becoming a head coach of this amazing country and this amazing federation.”

Pochettino said it was also “one of the most difficult” decisions to leave the national team for Manchester United because of the positive experience he had with the squad.

“In some part, [it] is a very sad decision,” Pochettino continued, before saying he’s “trying to find the next step” and make his “dreams come true.”

Pochettino said it was “one of the great honors” of his career to coach the national team.

“The most important thing is all that we left here. The moments we shared together and all the things we accomplished, and all the things we put in place,” he said.

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At the end of his address, Pochettino struggled through tears while thanking Cone and Batson for the opportunity.

According to ESPN, Pochettino finished his career with the national team with a 21-12-2 record. He helped to raise the squad to a higher level during his time, including making the round of 16 at the World Cup this past summer.

He will officially begin coaching Manchester United on Nov. 18.

Read the original article on People