Ex-PL manager discreetly in contact with Manchester United despite Rangnick preference

PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is in contact with Manchester United over managerial post despite Ralf Rangnick preferring Erik Ten Hag

According to Le Parisien, via Canal Supporters (h/t The Mirror), PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is discreetly in contact with Manchester United over being appointed the next manager despite Ralf Rangnick preferring Erik Ten Hag.

The ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager might not have several trophies to his name but has an interesting brand of football. Under him, Spurs rebuilt themselves into a traditional Top 6 member again. Pochettino has managed to produce an alluring style of football at PSG too, despite the politics. 

However, the Argentinian is keen on becoming the next Man United manager. It felt like he was not the leading contender for the job after the arrival of Rangnick. But the 49-year-old has discreetly maintained contact with the club, and the hierarchy is open to appointing him in the summer.

But there is a catch. Rangnick, who is likely to hold a consultancy role once his position as an interim manager comes to an end, prefers Erik Ten Hag to be the next in line at the helm. The Ajax boss has won several league titles with the Dutch club but has no experience managing in England. It is expected that the decision of the next manager shall be taken by Richard Arnold, who is set to become the new vice-executive chairman soon. 

Pochettino or Ten Hag?

Both good options, and both have a distinct idea of playing the game. However, given his experience in the Premier League, the Argentinian would be the ideal choice. He already knows the lay of the land and has excellent man-management skills too.

More importantly, he understands how to work on a budget and get the best out of every player. In his five and a half seasons in North London, he promoted the youth of the club into the first-team setup. Although Ten Hag also favours the youth, he has not faced the pressure of working at a club in the Premier League.

Additionally, there would be immediate expectations of him. Man United have already assembled a fantastic squad but we need an anchor to lead us to glory. If there are early signs of him failing to adjust to English football, it could prove to be problematic.

Richard Arnold has a massive task on his hand because this could be the most pivotal decision he makes in his tenure as the vice-executive chairman. If he nails this appointment, he will receive far more love than Ed Woodward ever did from the supporters. The glory days need to return to Old Trafford, and the appointment of a permanent manager is the first step in doing so. 

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In all honesty, fans wouldn’t mind a lot if the next manager turns out to be either of the two. Both of them are young managers who want their teams to have an attractive brand of football. It is if the board starts to get off track a bit and veers into the direction of making an experiment regarding our next managerial appointment where the fans would begin to have issues.

No more short-term solutions or ex-Man United heroes. We need a manager for the long term. The club tried so hard to push Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be that man as his sacking seemed to be delayed by a season, if not a few months. It’s time we go all out and appoint a big name at the helm.