Following his sudden exit from Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as the bookmakers’ top choice to become the next manager of Manchester United. On Tuesday evening, it was officially announced that Pochettino and Chelsea had parted ways by mutual consent after just one season together.
Pochettino, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager, faced a significant challenge at Chelsea. He was tasked with rebuilding a young and inexperienced team, which was a difficult assignment. Despite a tough season, there were signs that he was steering the team in the right direction, particularly as Chelsea won their final five league games to secure a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
However, after discussions with Chelsea’s management, Pochettino decided to leave the club. His quick departure suggests that he remains a highly regarded figure in the football world and is already being considered for other major managerial roles.
Currently, Erik ten Hag is the manager of Manchester United. However, the Dutchman’s position is precarious following a disappointing season. Manchester United finished eighth in the Premier League and were knocked out in the group stage of the Champions League, leading to speculation about Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford. Despite having the opportunity to end the season on a positive note with an FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday, it is uncertain whether this would be sufficient to secure his position at the club.
In the wake of this uncertainty, Pochettino has become the bookmakers’ favorite to replace Ten Hag should he be dismissed. Betfair lists Pochettino as the frontrunner with odds of 2/1. However, he is not the only candidate in consideration for the role.
The odds for Pochettino to become the next Manchester United manager are 2/1. Other candidates include:
– Thomas Tuchel at 5/1
– Roberto De Zerbi at 11/2
– Gareth Southgate at 7/1
– Graham Potter at 8/1
– Kieran McKenna at 10/1
– Thomas Frank at 12/1
– Ruben Amorim at 14/1
– Zinedine Zidane at 16/1
– Ange Postecoglou at 20/1
– Hansi Flick at 20/1
– Gary O’Neil at 25/1
– Francesco Farioli at 25/1
– Luis Enrique at 25/1
– Xavi Hernandez at 25/1
These odds are provided by Betfair.
Thomas Tuchel, who is available after his departure from Bayern Munich at the end of the season, is another prominent candidate. The German manager is third in line with odds of 5/1, while Roberto De Zerbi, who is also available after parting ways with Brighton, is second in line with odds of 11/2.
Overall, Pochettino’s swift departure from Chelsea and his immediate consideration for top managerial positions underscore his enduring reputation in the football community. As speculation about Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United continues, Pochettino’s name remains at the forefront of discussions regarding potential successors at Old Trafford.
