5 contenders to replace Ralf Rangnick

Time Stamp: February 20, 2022 2:45 AM

Manchester United remain in contention for Champions League qualification despite indifferent form of late, but any thoughts Ralf Rangnick could take over permanently have dissipated. Rangnick appears ill-equipped for a managerial role, appearing to be more suited to a job behind the scenes, with public fall-outs with various players marring his time in charge.

United’s form has not particularly improved since the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with attention now turning to which elite manager might be appointed next at Old Trafford. Much is likely to depend on whether or not United can secure that top-four finish, but here are five of the top names in the frame to become the next manager of Manchester United.

 

Mauricio Pochettino – PSG

Reports in France have indicated Pochettino will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, which would be ideal timing if United wanted him to succeed Rangnick. Pochettino has long been linked with United and there were suggestions the club tried to tempt him away from Paris when Solskjaer departed.

A mid-season change was never likely to appeal to Pochettino, though, who will be determined to finish the job of leading PSG back to the Ligue 1 title. Pochettino has been an uneasy fit at the Parc des Princes, though, with his high-pressing style not suited to the undroppable big names of Neymar and Lionel Messi in his star-studded attacking line.

The 49-year-old reportedly wants to have a reunion with Harry Kane at Old Trafford, so United could be adding both a blockbuster new striker and a top level coach in their chase for titles.

Pochettino is also being linked with Real Madrid, with PSG having earned a 1-0 win over the Spanish giants in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie. That match could be seen as a successful audition for the Argentine and, with Kylian Mbappe expected to move to Madrid in the summer, Pochettino going with him might smooth the path to that deal.

 

Erik ten Hag – Ajax

Ajax boss Ten Hag continues to be linked with Europe’s elite, with the Dutch side on track to win a domestic double. They also have an eye on the quarter-finals of the Champions League after being paired with Benfica in the round of 16.

Ten Hag has suggested he is putting thoughts about his future on the back burner following the departure of Ajax’s sporting director Marc Overmars over inappropriate messages sent to colleagues. Ten Hag had a close relationship with Overmars but it is unclear whether the ex-Arsenal winger leaving Ajax makes it more or less likely that the manager will move on.

 

Brendan Rodgers – Leicester City

Injuries have made it a tricky season for Leicester City, but Rodgers’ reputation remains high even with the Foxes sitting mid-table in the Premier League and well off the European pace.

Leicester’s defensive issues can be traced back to missing key players such as the talented young defender Wesley Fofana, who broke his leg during a pre-season match. However, the Foxes are conceding an alarming number of goals from set pieces, which is a problem Rodgers will want to iron out over the remaining few months of the season.

Rodgers has experience of managing huge clubs in European competition from his time in charge of both Liverpool and Celtic, but his time at Anfield may put some at Old Trafford off. In terms of Premier League managers, though, few are regarded as highly as Rodgers. It feels inevitable he will leave Leicester soon, with United not the only club to be eyeing him up.

 

Antonio Conte – Tottenham

Many people felt United should have made Conte their top priority when it became clear Solskjaar’s time was running out, but the club dallied and Tottenham landed the Italian.

Conte has already been showing frustration with the lack of quality in the Spurs squad – as well as a lack of January transfer activity – so it is possible he leaves at the end of the season.

The chance to move to United would surely appeal to Conte, who has won the Premier League already with Chelsea, as well as the Serie A title with Inter last term. Conte is regarded as an extremely demanding taskmaster – but maybe that is exactly what United need right now.

 

Ruben Amorim – Sporting

For a wild card pick to take over at United, how about the highly-rated Sporting coach Amorim? While the Portuguese side were taken apart by Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League tie, Amorim’s reputation was burnished by the kind comments from counterpart Pep Guardiola.

At just 37, Amorim lacks the experience of many of the other contenders but he has youth and vitality on his side. Amorim won the Primeira Liga’s Manager of the Year award in 2021 after he led Sporting to a domestic double, ending a near 20-year wait for the club to win the league.

Amorim has led Sporting to another cup final already this term, while they were among the most impressive teams in the group stages of the Champions League. It might be considered too early for Amorim to make the leap to a superclub, but people said the same thing when Chelsea appointed the then-Porto boss Jose Mourinho. Somewhat inevitably, Amorim has been dubbed the next Mourinho and his future in the game looks very bright.

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