Manchester United will move for Mauricio Pochettino immediately with a view to appointing the Tottenham manager at the end of the season, according to multiple reports.
After Jose Mourinho’s dismissal on Tuesday following the club’s worst start to a Premier League season, United have plugged the immediate gap left by the Portuguese with the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until the end of the season.
However, United are already making long-term plans to lure Tottenham manager Pochettino to Old Trafford after learning the Argentine does not have a release clause in the new Tottenham deal he signed earlier this year.
But with Pochettino contracted to Tottenham until 2023, buying the former Southampton manager out of his deal will likely hit United severely in the pocket. Multiple reports on Wednesday morning state it will cost anything between £34m – £40million in compensation if United are to convince him to quit north London.
Together with the £24million severance package is has cost to fire Mourinho, it will mean a potential £64million expense for United to change managers.
The Tottenham manager was questioned on the vacancy at Old Trafford on Tuesday and it seemed the Argentine was happy to leave the door ajar over a potential switch.
“There are a lot of rumours about my position as manager at Tottenham. I cannot answer this type of question,” he said.
“The business you know very well, a lot of rumours happen. I’m so focused in trying to deliver my best in this football club.”
Asked what he thought of United’s decision to end Mourinho’s tenure, Pochettino continued: “First of all I want to send my best wishes to him. I feel so sorry because you know very well I have a good relationship with him. He’s a very good friend. It’s sad news what happened to him.
“It’s not my business what happened at another club. I only want to send my best wishes to Jose.”