ERIK TEN HAG LOOKS FAVOURITE AHEAD OF MAURICIO POCHETTINO IN MANCHESTER UNITED’S MANAGER JOB- PAPER ROUND.
Manchester United have narrowed their manager search down to two candidates: Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino. Elsewhere, Barcelona are looking to take advantage of Chelsea’s current woes by targeting a trio of the Blues’ defenders, Newcastle United have put together an extended transfer shortlist and Leicester City could be set for a squad shake-up this summer.
Manchester United’s search for a new manager seems to be reaching its conclusion. The Telegraph report that the club are about to enter their final round of interviews and “it appears to be a clear shoot-out” between Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino. PSG are prepared to allow Pochettino to leave this summer and will not expect any payment from United if he were to move to Old Trafford. Elsewhere, Ajax gave permission to Ten Hag to be interviewed by the Premier League club, but the Dutch side would not stand in his way if he were to be United’s manager of choice. Ten Hag remains the favourite – even though United are “concerned” about his lack of experience managing a club of their stature.
Manchester United have taken their time in this process. It seems like the club want to make it look like they have done a thorough job, while it also appears that they are really afraid of making the wrong decision. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all been disastrous since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2013. Pochettino and Ten Hag are both successful managers in their own rights – as we saw back in the 2018-19 season. Both coaches took underdog sides, with a young core, to the latter stages of the Champions League. Pochettino might be the better choice here due to his Premier League experience, but it’s a tough decision.
