Mauricio Pochettino is currently the favorite candidate to replace Erik ten Hag as the manager of Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former United manager, has previously praised Pochettino as “fantastic.”
- Pochettino’s Chelsea fate was sealed after one ‘innocuous’ question opened up major rift
- Cole Palmer reacts to Pochettino exit with Chelsea players stunned by decision
- The real reason why Pochettino has left Chelsea as details of two-day crisis meeting leaked
Pochettino, aged 52, recently left Chelsea after managing the team for a single season. His departure was confirmed on Tuesday. This development coincides with uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s position as United enters a new era under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United is set to compete in the FA Cup final against Manchester City this weekend. However, the club faced disappointment in the Premier League, achieving their lowest-ever finish.
The club’s hierarchy is actively considering a change in the managerial position. They have shown interest in potential candidates, including Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, who was previously a coach at Old Trafford.
Given Pochettino’s availability and experience in the Premier League, it’s unsurprising that his name is now linked with Manchester United.
Two years ago, Pochettino was one of the final two candidates for the United managerial role. Ultimately, the Glazers chose Ten Hag. Notably, during his tenure as Tottenham Hotspur’s boss, Pochettino left a favorable impression on Sir Alex Ferguson.
After a clash in 2016, Sir Alex Ferguson delivered a glowing assessment of Pochettino’s managerial abilities. The Argentine’s potential impact at Old Trafford remains an intriguing prospect.
“Well the manager has been fantastic,” said Ferguson, who was in charge of Man United at the time. “They have a bad record of managers, there is no doubt about that. They have had so many over the years, but this lad has composure.
“You never see him ruffled and the way his team play is a testimony to the work he is doing. The most important thing for English football is how many English and young players are in his team.
“He understands the advantage of playing young people. They won’t let you down and they have been fantastic.
“[Dele] Alli, [Harry] Kane, [Ryan] Mason, [Danny] Rose, [Eric] Dier, all English players. [Kyle] Walker, the right back , although he has been there for a bit longer.”
Pochettino spoke about missing out on the United job in 2022 in an interview with Spanish media. He said: “Football is timing. These are the moments for it to coincide and for that marriage to happen. Sometimes it’s just a matter of time.
“I don’t believe in trains passing only once. I think that sometimes you have to have the necessary patience and you have to know how to wait.
“The ‘timing’ is handled by football, it is true that my name has always been associated with big clubs. I have a lot of respect for professionals and it’s hard for me to sell myself, that’s work for you. That routine that is generated when you are at work is created as a result of the adrenaline of day-to-day. You miss it.”
