Five candidates that could replace Mourinho

With Jose Mourinho departing the “theatre of dreams” and the club eleven points off the top four, the Manchester United hot-seat is empty.  A series of doubts loom large at Old Trafford. So, what is next for Man United and more importantly, who is next?

Zinedine Zidane:

After steering Real Madrid to an unprecedented third successive UEFA Champions League triumph, “Zizou” decided to step down and take a sabbatical from the pressures of day to day management. However, since then, there has been rumblings of the Frenchmen being keen to work in the Premier League. With an overall win record of nearly 70% at Real, no doubt should remain on Zinedine Zidane’s managerial credentials. 

With nine major honours to his name and an illustrious playing career, he has the reputation and personality to cope with the big ego’s in the United dressing room. 

Laurent Blanc:     

Since departing Paris Saint-Germain two years ago, Laurent Blanc appears  eager to return to the dugout. With the fifty-three year old a former player at Manchester United, it was inevitable he was going to be linked with the job.

Picking up the nickname “Le Président”  which was given to him following his stint at Marseille in tribute to his leadership skills, Laurent Blanc may have the capabilities to replace Jose Mourinho. 

Massimiliano Allegri:                                                                                           

After Arsene Wenger left Arsenal, Massimiliano Allegri was the sure favourite to take over at the Emirates. However, with Arsenal plucking for Unai Emery instead, the Italian remained at Juventus. Leading “The Old Lady” to three consecutive Serie A titles, the first team ever to do so, it may act as no shock to hear other clubs vying for his services. 

Perhaps after achieving all he can domestically with Juventus, the time might be right to start a new chapter in his managerial career. If Manchester United came calling, Massimiliano Allegri could be tempted to work in the Premier League. 

Arsene Wenger: 

Surely not? After ending his twenty-two year tenure at Arsenal in the summer, Arsene Wenger has been out of a job since. Admitting he still wants to manage “a top club in Europe,”  Manchester United may be the perfect fit. Knowing the Premier League inside out, Arsene Wenger could be able to turn around United’s fortunes and recover a so far despairing season. 

Once rivals of the Red Devils, could a club the stature of Manchester United tempt him back to England?

Mauricio Pochettino:   

Touted with the United job for over a year now, Mauricio Pochettino currently acts as the clear favourite to succeed Jose Mourinho. Having trust in young players as well as having a clear identity to build a fearless, attacking side long term, the Argentinian ticks the boxes of what the past greats have done at United. Revealing he has always wanted to manage at the highest level, could a move to Manchester help him achieve that?

The key question is though, would he leave Spurs, who are about to embark on their first season at their new stadium? After working so diligently to build a sustainable squad at Tottenham over the last four years, where he has overseen a transitional period and a huge player turnover, could he resist the allure of Manchester United and finish what he started in North London?

Whoever is chosen as the next manager of arguably England’s biggest club will be tasked with changing the current fortunes of the Red Devils. Mourinho’s permanent successor will be hoping whoever Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, chooses to steer United through till the end of the season is successful in order to allow the new coach to hit the ground running in the summer. 

United are expected to announce their caretaker manager to lead them through until the end of season within the next 48 hours.