Can Antonio Conte Replace Jose Mourinho In Manchester United

  

The warning signs had been there since last season and now things are beginning to look ominous for the continued relationship between Manchester United and its manager; Jose Mourinho.

The coming of the “Special One” in the 2016/2017 season had been hailed by Red Devil fans following the atrophy and stagnation of the David Moyes and Louis van Gaal eras.

Mourinho was seen as the perfect man to help the team compete against city rival Manchester City who had previously announced the arrival of Pep Guardiola.

The first season had gone well with a League Cup and Europa League papering over the cracks of a disappointing league campaign where the team finished 6th.

Cracks began to appear last season as, despite a considerable outlay on transfers, United were blown away by Pep and his Cityzens who won the league with ease.

It was expected that United would reinforce in the just-concluded transfer window but the arrivals turned out to be too small for Mourinho’s liking.

All through the summer, he had sulked and moaned about the refusal of the board (read Ed Woodward) to get his targets. This rift between manager and administrator has been exacerbated by stories of unrest in the team, stories which Mourinho’s public moaning has made worse.

The shambolic loss to Brighton over the weekend has cranked up the level of noise surrounding both team and manager and it seems only a matter of time before the relationship reaches a rather premature end.

Let us figure out if Antonio Conte can replace Mourinho if he leaves Old Trafford or is fired: 

A high-strung, high-maintenance coach, Conte’s availability following his sack by Chelsea and his pedigree make him an ideal candidate to take over the Manchester United job if Mourinho were to leave.

A serial winner of league and cup competitions, his intensity, passion, and desire for perfection could be the tonic to lift a team of players that have looked lost and bereft of ideas in recent times under the “Special One”.

Bringing in a manager like the former Juventus tactician would be beneficial to the team in its current iteration as he will be able to give the team’s underperforming centrebacks the security of playing with 3 men at the back.

In his favoured 3-4-3 formation, Manchester United could get better balance than in the current 4-3-2-1 that Jose favours. With this formation, Pogba would be free of his defensive duties and affect the game more in an attacking sense.

Having Conte who has had issues at two previous clubs; Juventus and Chelsea due to transfers would force the United hierarchy to back him extensively in getting the players he wants which would make the team stronger.

His unwillingness to play young players and his overtly passionate nature will count against him but if United were to go the way of getting another experienced, world-class manager, he could be a perfect choice.

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