Manchester United’s board are confident they will be able to lure Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers to Old Trafford when they decide to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to reports.
United have endured a tough start to the new season and are already nine points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea after losing four of their first 11 matches of the campaign.
Pressure is currently mounting on Solskjaer as a result, though for now the club’s hierarchy are still backing the Norwegian manager to turn things around.
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But the Red devils have a number of tricky games after the international break, including Villarreal and Chelsea away as well as hosting Arsenal in December.
If their form does not improve, they may be forced to reconsider their stance on Solskjaer’s future and would consider sacking him, with The Daily Star reporting they are confident of landing Rodgers as a replacement.
Rodgers ticks many of the boxes United’s board are looking for, with the club keen to appoint a British manager, while Rodgers is also less volatile and demanding than Antonio Conte, who they decided against.
Leicester would be reluctant to allow Rodgers leave, while the 48-year-old himself has constantly reaffirmed his commitment to the club.
But United are convinced that Rodgers would jump at the chance to take over at United, while they have discovered that he has a release clause in his contract should a club playing in the UEFA Champions League come in for him.
United would have no hesitation in paying the release clause if Solskjaer’s position become untenable and they believe he would find it impossible to turn down their approach.
Rodgers was asked about the links with the United job last week and said: ‘I don’t even think about it. I’m sure the supporters are probably tired of it. At Leicester, there is always a link.
‘My focus is always here with Leicester and developing the football club and challenging for honours. The directors, staff and players all have the same vision.’
