Four potential managers who could take over Manchester united

Manchester United have confirmed the departure of manager Jose Mourinho after the club’s stuttering run of form led to their worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

It is understood Michael Carrick will look after affairs before the club appoint an external candidate in the next 24 to 48 hours to take charge on a caretaker basis for the rest of the season.

A statement from the club said: “Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect. The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future.

“A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager.

Here are four potential managers fans are looking forward to:

Pochettino

Pochettino is highly regarded at Old Trafford after his superb work at Southampton and Tottenham and has long been talked of as a possible United manager, even dating back to Louis van Gaal’s appointment. But the Argentine signed a new five-year contract in May and it is doubtful he would want to leave Tottenham in the middle of the season, making a pursuit at the end of the campaign more likely. He boosted his case in August, when Spurs – who had not even scored on their last four visits to Old Trafford – earned a convincing 3-0 triumph that further enhanced Pochettino’s already glowing reputation.

He clearly enjoys building a long-term project, despite his obvious frustration with the lack of activity in the transfer window at Spurs, similar to Mourinho’s concerns at United. With Tottenham soon to move into the rebuilt White Hart Lane, they look primed to ascend to the big time. United will hope they have not missed their chance to appoint Pochettino, with Spurs now seeking to leapfrog them in the Premier League pecking order.

Zidane

The football world was shocked when Zidane decided to walk away from Real Madrid after leading the club to a third consecutive Champions League crown in May. Zidane has since kept a low profile and it is not yet clear where he sees his future. Few teams can compete with the prestige of managing the Spanish capital club, but United are up there – the two clubs are probably the biggest in the world. By June, Zidane will have had a full year to recharge his batteries and it could be a good fit. That said, for all Zidane’s European success, Madrid finished 17 points behind Barcelona in the LaLiga table last term.

Eddie Howe
The 41-year-old has impressed in his two spells at Bournemouth, taking the club into the Premier League during the second one and establishing them in the top division. His attack-minded brand of football would suit United too with an emphasis on speed and high pressing.

Antonio Conte

The Italian had a remarkable impact at Chelsea, winning the Premier League title in his first season in charge, having effectively replaced José Mourinho as the club’s manager (Guus Hiddink took over as caretaker manager in 2015-16). Chelsea also reached the FA Cup final in 2017, but they lost to Arsenal and Conte’s relationship with the players deteriorated during this second season in charge. He left the club last summer with one year left on his contract and is unlikely to take a new job until the summer.

Laurent Blanc


A former Manchester United defender, the Frenchman has been out of work since leaving Paris St-Germain in 2016. Had two years in charge of the France national team after being appointed in 2010 but stepped down after losing against Spain at the Euro 2012 quarter-final stage.

Who is the right man for the job?

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