As we draw closer to the end of the 2021/22 season, senior staff at Manchester United have a big decision to make in who to appoint as the next manager of the club.
Following 26 years at the club, Manchester United have had seven men at the reigns in charge of the first team since Sir Alex Ferguson departed in 2013.
Four of those managers were on a permanent contract and included David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Solskjaer’s departure was a long time coming and the ex-United star was replaced towards the end of November by RB Leipzig boss, Ralf Rangnick.
However, Rangnick was only appointed as an intrim manager with his contract, at least as the first team coach, coming to an end in June. He’s set to stay at the club for at least a further two year’s in a consultancy role but the search for a permanent replacement is already underway.
Next Man Utd Manager Favourites
Here are the bookies’ favourites on who they believe will be the next Manchester United manager.
Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag is the current manager of Dutch side Ajax where he has been since 2017. He’s a former player for several Dutch clubs such as FC Utrecht and FC Twente and started his management career in 2012 by taking on the job at Eredivisie club, Go Ahead Eagles. He’s also managed German side Bayern Munich II and his former club FC Utrecht before moving to Ajax in December 2017 where he has a very impressive win rate of 73.91%.
Manchester United have spoken with ten Hag regarding the position and although there are other candidates that will sit down with the United hierarchy, reports are that he impressed during his interview and has expressed an interest to leave his current club in the summer.
Erik ten Hag Odds: 1/3
Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino is the current manager of French club Paris Saint Germain. However, he has six years of Premier League experience under his belt following managerial stints at both Southampton and more notably, Tottenham Hotspur.
There is a sense of unsettlement at PSG currently and United could finally be able to tempt Pochettino to Old Trafford this summer. He’s currently working with top players such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi and his experience in the Premier League with a top-six club will also work in his favour.
Mauricio Pochettino Odds: 6/1
Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel is a German manager who has been in charge of the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain. He’s currently manager of Premier League club Chelsea but due to unsettlement at the club around the situation involving owner Roman Abramovich, United believe that Tuchel could be lured away from London.
Tuchel has done an outstanding job at Chelsea since arriving in January 2021 and he could be the man to restore consistency at the club which United have struggled for in recent seasons.
Tuchel is in contract with Chelsea until 2024 but given Chelsea’s financial situation, they could be tempted with a generous compensation package from United.
Thomas Tuchel Odds: 14/1
Brendan Rodgers
Ex-Liverpool and Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, us currently in charge of Premier League club Leicester City.
Rodger’s has been tipped to become a Manchester United manager of the future for several years and so it’s no surprise to see him in the list of potential candidates as the next permanent manager.
However, one thing that may put United off from approaching Rodgers is Leicester City’s results and league position this season.
The Foxes are currently midtable and an equal number of points from the top six than they are from the drop-zone. Not all the blame can be put on Rodger’s for Leicester’s disappointing season as he has had to work with several key players being out with long-term injuries but nonetheless, their league position will not work in his favour.
Brendan Rodgers Odds: 16/1
Antonio Conte
Current Spurs manager Antonio Conte has been linked with the United job since the departure of Solskjaer but many believed that United were too slot to act when Conte joined Tottenham in November of last year. He’s contracted until the summer of 2023 but some think that the Italian is the perfect man for the job.
There’s thoughts around comments that Conte has made regarding financial backing at Spurs, or rather the lack of it that he is receiving. If United can promise him a dip in their deep pockets, it could be enough to tempt a move to a somewhat more promising role.
Antonio Conte Odds: 18/1
Other Candidates
There’s no doubt that other candidates will emerge in the mix towards the closing stages of the season as United search for their next permanent manager.
Current interim boss Ralk Rangnick is 18/1 with the bookies to stay on with the club and boss of the Spain national team, Luis Enrique, can be backed at the same odds.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl is 20/1, Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui 22/1 along with Zinedine Zidane who has been out of work since leaving La Liga club Real Madrid last year.