Manchester United have begun seeking out their next permanent manager ahead of this summer’s expected dugout change with Mauricio Pochettino and Luis Enrique on a four-man shortlist
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Manchester United are set for a change in the dugout next season as Ralf Rangnick’s interim spell stands to end.
The German has filled in following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking and is poised to take on a consultancy role going forward.
United have struggled this season despite heavy investment in the playing squad and remain miles off the Premier League’s elite.
Failure to win any trophies this term would extend their silverware drought to five years.
The Old Trafford hierarchy are under pressure to get their next appointment right having only backed Solskjaer with a new deal in the summer.
They opted against appointing Antonio Conte before Tottenham jumped in and, according to the Athletic, are eyeing four candidates, all of whom are already under contract.
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It means they will have to negotiate their potential exits with Mauricio Pochettino, Erik ten Hag, Luis Enrique and Julen Lopetegui all under consideration.
The quartet have enjoyed varying degrees of success with different teams, but who is best suited to the Manchester hot seat?
There has previously been talk, especially from former Red Devils stars, that they need to appoint a certain type of manager who will adhere to the club’s traditions.
We take a look at the positives and negatives of appointing each man.
Mauricio Pochettino
Pros
The Argentine’s marriage in PSG seems to be anything but a happy one despite insistence from the Parisian hierarchy that they are committed to the former Tottenham boss.
It does mean that Pochettino could be attainable should he decide that he wants a different challenge – and if Zinedine Zidane decides he fancies a crack at the PSG role.
On paper the 49-year-old looks to be the overwhelming favourite having previously been questioned about the job.
Whilst in north London Pochettino played an attractive brand of football that utilised the club’s young players.
He is also the only man under consideration who has experience of England’s top flight.
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Cons
Pochettino though is also the only man on the list whose silverware record can be questioned.
He’s yet to win a major honour in Paris and his Tottenham side did come up short several times in semi-finals throughout his tenure.
Recruitment has also been an issue for the Argentine. Many of his successes have involved working with young players, rather than effectively utilising the market.
Several of his signings at Tottenham have failed to work out and getting the right players through the door will be key at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag
Pros
The Dutchman’s Ajax side have continued to impress, again playing an exciting brand of football.
Ten Hag led them to the last four of the Champions League in 2019 and has dominated domestically. The Amsterdam outfit remain their country’s biggest team and as a result Ten Hag knows all about the pressure of delivering.
He’s also, in a short space of time, been able to rebuild his squad having lost several stars in recent years.
United would certainly be perceived as a step up in stature and that allure could work in their favour.
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Cons
Ajax might be the biggest club in Holland but taking on the challenge of managing United is, fundamentally, a greater challenge.
Ten Hag has also worked under a fantastic structure in Amsterdam which includes Edwin van der Sar and Marc Overmars.
That is not to take away from his success, but he will not enjoy such expertise at Old Trafford, where senior officials have regularly been criticised.
Luis Enrique
Pros
The Spain boss is one of very few managers in history to complete the treble – Sir Alex Ferguson also among those on the illustrious list.
Enrique did so whilst at Barcelona and is now making the calls with Spain, who were a penalty shootout away from the Euro 2020 final.
The Spaniard would arrive with major pedigree and has managed the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar, so would have no problems in the United dressing room.
A proven winner whose Barcelona side were renowned for their firepower.
Cons
Ultimately Enrique hasn’t held a club job since 2017 and that may be a slight concern.
He is currently not used to the day-to-day demands of management and would no doubt have to alter his approach if he were to move to Manchester.
Before that, though, there is the issue of negotiating his Spain exit in what is a World Cup year, which may prove beyond even them.
Julen Lopetegui
Pros
The former Spain boss, who left on the eve of the World Cup in 2018, has rebuilt his reputation at Sevilla.
Lopetegui won the Europa League in 2020, beating United in the semi-finals, and has the Spanish club challenging for the LaLiga title.
He’s far exceeding his resources and would no doubt relish the chance at another top club, something United could provide.
Of the four managers the Spaniard would appear the most accessible given his employers.
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Cons
Lopetegui’s only experience of a top European side was his ill-fated spell as Real Madrid boss.
He lasted just four months and 14 games before he was axed which will lead to questions about whether he can handle the pressure.
Very much a name on the rise, but major managers have fallen foul of the politics and internal issues at Old Trafford and Lopetegui will have to assert himself if he is to lead from the front.
His lack of Champions League success could also be earmarked as an issue.
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