Now that Jose Mourinho has left the club,which manager is likely to replace him?Here is the list:
- ZINEDINE ZIDANE
Zinedine Zidane tops the list of managers likely to replace Mourinho.
Zidane left his role at Real Madrid in the summer after two-and-a-half seasons of unparalleled success. Nine trophies including three Champions League titles in his first job as a manager has seen his stock rise.
The 46-year-old is no stranger to managing a club with huge expectation and superstars, so the United job, if it becomes his, won’t be a new challenge in that aspect. However, it will be a tough job nevertheless.
Zidane, the player, is an idol to many modern-day superstars including Pogba and this should give added motivation for the 25-year-old midfielder to stay at Old Trafford and perform to the best of his abilities.
Zidane took over as Real manager midway through a season and won the Champions League. United fans would love nothing more than a repeat of that feat with their beloved club.
- ANTONIO CONTE
Conte may not be high up the fans’ lists given his pragmatic approach but the former Chelsea boss makes sense for more than one reason.
Firstly, the Italian has already shown that he’s capable of acing the Premier League. Chelsea won the league in his debut season in England with 93 points while also breaking a couple of league records on the way. In addition, his Chelsea side reached the FA Cup final in both seasons he was in charge and won the 2018 final at the expense of United.
Secondly, he may be able to solve one of United’s big concerns – bringing the best out of Pogba. Pogba moved to Juventus in 2012 and played under Conte for two seasons. It was under the Italian’s tutelage that the Frenchman rose to fame and became one of Europe’s most coveted midfielders.
- ARSENE WENGER
Arsene Wenger left Arsenal this year and he could return to the English Premier League as Manchester United Manager.
Though his role as Arsenal Manager wasn’t glamorous,Wenger managed to nature talent as well as improve the club’s profit. What United needs as of now is a manager who would nature talent and build a future team—Wenger is the best bet.
- MAURICIO POCHETTINO
Of all the names mentioned in this list, Pochettino will be the most difficult for United to pursue. Spurs will do everything they can to avoid losing their manager during the course of the season and this is a manager who has helped raise the profile of the club.
The benefits of hiring Pochettino is similar to that of hiring Jardim. United get a manager who favours offensive football and also has a fantastic track record working with young players. However, Pochettino will be less of a gamble than Jardim because the former has over five-and-a-half years of experience managing in the Premier League.
If Man Utd are keen on appointing Pochettino and have to wait till next summer for his services, then they will need someone to take charge till the end of the current season. Chelsea have gone through similar situations in the past and they found a solution like appointing Rafa Benitez in 2012-13 or Guus Hiddink in 2015-16.
- LAURENT BLANC
Blanc hasn’t taken up a managerial role since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2016. For many, the Frenchman may not seem like the ideal candidate to replace Mourinho because winning the Ligue 1 with PSG and the Premier League with Manchester United are different ball games. Lest we forget, Blanc has also won the Ligue 1 with Bordeaux in 2009.
PSG failed to win the Ligue 1 in the first season after his departure while they won it thrice in a row with him at the helm. In addition, they reached the quarterfinal of the Champions League with Blanc every season but haven’t gotten past the Round of 16 since his departure.
As a player, Blanc represented Manchester United in the final two seasons of his playing career and as a result, he will already know the expectations that come with the job. His appointment might also please his compatriots Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial who have been alienated by Mourinho.