Soccer
Zidane, Pochettino, ten Hag: Who should take over troubled Manchester United?
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After disappointing weeks, Ole Gunnar Solskjær is history at Manchester United. However, the search for his successor turns out to be a demanding undertaking. Because the pressure is great: After years of unsuccessfulness, United must finally find the right coach.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjær lost his job as Manchester United coach after Saturday’s 4-1 draw against Watford.
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On Saturday afternoon, Ole Gunnar Solskjær walked to the United supporters in the stands for the last time. The away game against relegation candidate Watford just ended with 1: 4. Accompanied by a few players, he raised his hands apologetically. He looked visibly dejected during the post-game press conference. Knowing full well that this would have been his last game as trainer for the English record champions.
One day later there is certainty: The romance between club legend Solskjær and Manchester United is over. In a message from the club on Sunday it was said that he had resigned. In tears, he said goodbye to the fans via social media. They are a sign of respect for a figure who is considered a disciple of Sir Alex Ferguson and who has coached the club since 2018.
Who will take over the “Red Devils”?
Assistant coach Michael Carrick, another club legend, steps in for the Norwegian on an interim basis. In England there has been wild speculation since yesterday about the next chosen one who should lead Man United back to the glory of old days. The top candidate is Mauricio Pochettino, Ajax coach Erik ten Hag second choice. Both would certainly be good choices, but will not be available to United until the summer. Pochettino in particular should be interested in the position, as he is not satisfied with the culture at PSG.
Furthermore, the club is said to be interested in Brendan Rodgers from league rival Leicester, and super agent Jorge Mendes is said to have brought up Julen Lopetegui, who is involved in Seville. Zinédine Zidane, on the other hand, has already canceled. His next stop should be the French national team.
–Mauricio Pochettino (left) and Erik ten Hag (right) are said to be on top of United’s list.
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In all the future plans, however, the lack of plan of the leadership once again stands out. It seems like looking for a successor for Solskjær unprepared. The 5-0 debacle against Liverpool and another desolate appearance in the city derby against City were apparently not enough for the bosses to deal with the issue of the coach change. Antonio Conte, after all champions with Chelsea and last season with Inter, was signed by Tottenham a few weeks ago.
So the question arises as to whether Manchester United has already written off the current season. The dazzling names seem to be able to be committed only in summer. The season lasts long enough to at least limit the damage. In the case of United, that would be qualification for the Champions League and the longest possible run in this competition.
Difficult tasks for Carrick
A monster program awaits the inexperienced Michael Carrick in the next few weeks. Games against Chelsea and Arsenal are on the calendar as well as the important Champions League games against Villarreal and YB (December 8, 8:45 p.m.), where it is all about getting into the knockout phase. The former midfielder is scheduled to take over by the end of the year, but in the absence of alternatives, a job could become a reality by the end of the season. Managing director Ed Woodward, who would also have wanted to vacate his post at the end of the year, apparently extended his term of office by a few weeks of necessity.
–As a player, Carrick (right) won every title imaginable with United. Now he is the interim coach of the “Red Devils”.
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What is certain is that the club from the north of England urgently needs a coach who can guide the club out of the insignificance in the championship race. David Moyes’ experiment as the successor to Ferguson failed brilliantly. «General» Louis van Gaal and star coach José Mourinho were also unable to initiate a change. Solskjær brought a lot of mentality, but not the necessary tactical genius to shape the “Red Devils” into the title contender.
At the weekend, Watford coach Claudio Ranieri handed a simple pressing to checkmate United. What is needed now is a tactician who can breathe an identity into the team and play the traditional offensive football demanded by the fans. Thomas Tuchel showed how quickly such a transformation can go last year at Chelsea when he promptly won the Champions League after six months in office. The squad is definitely enough to bring United back to Olympus. The decision to whom this task is entrusted should therefore be made carefully.
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