With around 10 games remaining in the Premier league season, United are understood to have met with prospective candidates and are working towards making a decision over the next few weeks. Waiting for the Summer would not be ideal as United would no doubt like their new appointment to be fully involved in identifying potential transfers and constructing the squad for next season and beyond.
United set out with the intention of having Ralf Rangnick as an interim manager only. The expectation is that his time in charge will finish as soon as the season ends. The 63 year-old will, however, advise the club and football director John Murtough in the recruitment process.
With reports that Manchester United players are becoming increasingly unsettled with the managerial merry-go-round and uncertainty, United’s football director John Murtough is under pressure to provide the security that the historic club is craving.
Mauricio Pochettino
Although the Argentine didn’t win a trophy at Spurs, he built a talented, young and exciting team and took them to their first ever Champions League final in 2019 before losing to Liverpool via a penalty. His familiarity with the Premier League and willingness to embark on a rebuild are attractive qualities.
Mauricio Pochettino has long been a top target for the red side of Manchester. Ever since his controversial firing at Spurs, he has been earmarked for the job. The timing however has had an aspect of sliding doors about it. When Poch was available, United was being managed by Jose Mourinho. When United’s managerial position was available, the Argentinian was employed by Paris Saint Germain. Which is where things stand, at present.
Pochettino has a contract with Paris until 2023, in a lengthy interview with L’Equipe PSG’s director Leonardo said “Right now, he still has a year left on his contract. Honestly, we’ve never thought about changing managers. We’ve never contacted Zidane or anyone else. Before coming here, Pochettino was always among the top five managers and he’s still there.”
Leonardo, no doubt, would not want any uncertainty over Pochettino’s position with the second leg of a Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid around the corner. But with reports indicating he has struggled to settle in Paris, the opportunity to manage one of the greatest Premier League clubs could be too good to miss, this time.
Mauricio Pochettino is currently favourite for the United job, at 6/4. You can find the best football spread betting options for the remainder of the football season here.
Erik Ten Hag
The 52 year-old Dutchman may have only been managing since 2012 but is regarded as one of Europe’s next top coaches.
Coaching with Ajax he has built a reputation of working with young, exciting players and making them a force in Europe once again. Ten Hag may have many admirers but he has never managed in one of Europe’s major leagues which inevitably leads to worries about whether he can step up to the competition of the Premier League.
As far as United are concerned is he the next big thing, or another David Moyes? Can they afford to take another managerial risk after a number of years in the title winning wilderness?
Erik Ten Hag is currently second favourite for the United job, at 15/8.
Antonio Conte
His odds for the prospective manager job has recently been slashed to single digits, however that is more a reflection of Conte’s emotional reactions at Spurs following their recent inconsistent performances.
Heavily linked prior to his appointment at Tottenham, Conte has the pedigree and experience that certainly would suit United (despite concerns he might not be suited to a long-term project). However, after rejecting the possibility in November last year United would have to show Conte he is wanted plus have to deal with Daniel Levy and the compensation associated with a buy-out of his Spurs contract.
Antonio Conte can be backed for the United manager position, at 5/1.
Diego Simeone
Finding himself across the dugout from Rangnick in the Champions League last-16 tie, Diego Simeone has attracted attention as a potential United boss. The Argentine has led the Spanish side since 2010, coinciding with their most successful period in history.
Last season Simeone led Athletico to the La Liga title, having also done so in 2014, however this year his future is being questioned as Atletico Madrid have struggled to mount a meaningful defense.
The repuation ‘El Cholo’ enjoys at Atletico is similar to that experienced by Sir Alex Ferguson during his tenure at Manchester United, having transformed the underperformers into one of Europe’s woken giants. Much like his fellow Argentinian Pochettino, it would not be the first time the Red Devils have attempted to pursue Simeone, as he was a prominent candidate at Old Trafford for replacing David Moyes in the position in 2014.
Diego Simeone can be backed at 12/1 for the vacant United manager position.
Luis Enrique & Didier Deschamps
The 51 year-old former Barcelona and current Spanish national team manager has exemplary credentials. With experience managing a big club with big egos and a track record of winning trophies, Luis Enrique’s attacking style would appeal to United’s supporters.
The problem with Luis Enrique is his contract with Spain, which runs until the end of Spain’s involvement at the 2022 World Cup. With this year’s tournament occurring over the Winter months in Europe due to the problematic Summer weather in Qatar, United would have to wait until December to appoint him. Would a few more months of uncertainty be palatable? Perhaps not.
The current French national manager, Didier Deschamps, is another option for United, but the same issues persist as with Luis Enrique. The defending World Champions have been coached by Deschamps since 2012 and hiring before December would be problematic. With his contract running out after the 2022 World Cup he could look for a new challenge after 10 years with the national team.
Luis Enrique can be backed at 33/1 and Didier Deschamps at 20/1 for the vacant Manchester United job.
