Following a dismal 3-2 loss against Brighton in the Premier League, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has found himself under heavy criticism from pundits, fans and the press.
Simple defensive errors were to blame for the loss, as well as a timidity from the United midfield, which showed little inclination to attack. United managed only one shot on target in the first half at the Amex Stadium and conceded three goals, leading both captain Paul Pogba and Mourinho to admit there were severe problems.
The Portuguese’s odds on being the next Premier League manager sacked have shortened and he now finds himself ranked most likely by most bookmakers at around 7/2.
The same bookies are also taking bets for the men to succeed him. Here are five contenders thought to be on the club’s shortlist:
Zinedine Zidane
Age: 46
Availability: Unattached
Former managerial jobs: Real Madrid, Real Madrid Castilla
Managerial trophies: La Liga (2016/17), Spanish Super Cup (2017), Uefa Champions League (2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18), Uefa Super Cup (2016, 2017), Fifa Club World Cup (2016, 2017)
Odds: 2/1
Zinedine Zidane‘s progression to football management was rapid, and he returned the faith placed in him by the Real Madrid hierarchy with prolific success. His domestic achievements were modest compared to the dominance he fostered in Europe.
Zizou became the first coach to win the Champions League for the third consecutive time in the summer, and promptly resigned from the club after the final. Zidane’s Madrid were characterised by attacking football which played to the strengths of their world-class players, principally Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although there’s little chance of securing the former United No 7, who has just started his late-career journey at Juventus, Zidane would look to get the best out of the creative talents already in United’s ranks. He would be a great acquisition for the club, if he can be tempted away from his sabbatical.
Mauricio Pochettino
Age: 46
Availability: Current manager of Tottenham Hotspur
Former managerial jobs: Southampton, Espanyol
Managerial trophies: n/a
Odds: 13/2
A long-time favourite to take charge at Old Trafford, Mauricio Pochettino worked well with the youth players at Southampton and then at Tottenham Hotspur, helping develop players like Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana into the talents they are today.
As a result, it is thought many players at Spurs see his managerial future as crucial to their own playing careers. His attention to domestic youth prospects would go down well at United, who have seen some of their younger players stall in their development in recent years, and his attacking style of play (a high-pressing 4-2-3-1) would be popular.
In addition, he may be able to lure players like Kane, Alli and Kieran Trippier to Old Trafford, which would go down very well with supporters. Tottenham didn’t spend in the summer transfer window, after Pochettino urged them to – so it’s possible he could be unsettled and tempted by a move away.
However, he is under a recently-signed long-term contract which Daniel Levy already told Real Madrid they would have to pay the remainder of.
It would be expensive, but the club hierarchy may see it as a worthwhile and long-term investment. The only thing that may be of concern is his lack of silverware, despite a strong winning record.
Ryan Giggs
Age: 44
Availability: Current manager of Wales
Former managerial jobs: Manchester United (interim)
Managerial trophies: n/a Odds: 12/1
Ryan Giggs worked as a player-coach under David Moyes and took over from the sacked Scotsman in the final four games of the 2013/14 season.
Having managed the club and played there for over two decades, he knows the setup at Old Trafford inside and out. However, he has never taken charge of a club on a permanent basis, does not have a strong managerial record to flaunt, and his tactical punditry on TV spots can definitely be questioned (and it frequently is).
Giggs would be a familiar face, but to trust such an inexperienced manager would seem rash – and it is uncertain what the offer would mean for his commitments with the Welsh national team.