Manchester United face battle with Real Madrid to land Mauricio Pochettino as permanent manager in the summer
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United may have to battle it out with Real Madrid in their quest to land Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino as their permanent manager ahead of the new season.
Pochettino was hugely popular in the Premier League during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, leading the club to a Champions League final in 2019. The Argentine was credited for promoting young talent and establishing strong squads while in north London.
It is these qualities of his that have attracted United’s attention, as they look to appoint a permanent manager in the summer after interim boss Ralf Rangnick‘s tenure expires at the end of the season. The German boss is managing us in an interim capacity and has done a satisfactory job so far.
Rangnick has done a fine job at the club since taking over at the end of last year, with United losing only once in the league since the German’s arrival. The former Leipzig manager has currently led them to fourth place in the league table and will look to end the season strongly in the same spot.
Ancelotti concern
However, any potential move to land Pochettino ahead of the new season has been disrupted by the fact that Real Madrid have now entered the race to convince the former Spurs boss to move to Spain. It is said that doubts have emerged over current Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Italian may determine his future at the capital based on how Real fare in La Liga and the Champions League at the end of the campaign. Madrid have been coincidentally drawn with PSG in the UCL round of 16, where Poch’s men have a 1-0 lead from their first-leg encounter.
Pochettino has wide experience in the Premier League due to his prior stints with Tottenham and Southampton, which would be a factor to consider for United. It is not easy to manage in the English top-flight given the competitiveness and intensity of the league.
The current PSG boss has quite a dilemma on his hands in the summer, with European heavyweights in United and Real said to be interested in landing him. On the other hand, the Argentine is in charge of a world-class squad at Paris at the moment, boasting players like Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, and Kylian Mbappe.
More Manchester United News
- Manchester United prepare shortlist of candidates in hunt for new manager in the summer
- Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick reveals discussion with referee regarding Bruno Fernandes challenge in Leeds United clash
- Manchester United receive boost as opponents Atletico Madrid have four injury scares ahead of Champions League clash
Given Mbappe’s potential move to Madrid in the summer for free, the Galacticos could hold a key edge over United in the race to sign the manager on a permanent basis as Pochettino already has a prior relationship with the French player.
The summer will certainly be interesting for United fans to watch, as the club would eye a rebuild with whoever they install as their next permanent boss. It now remains to be seen whether Real’s interest in Pochettino will hinder his move to Manchester.
