With the shocking news of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, a look at the top ten candidates to replace him as Manchester United manager.
10. Louis van Gaal
When Ferguson first looked set to retire in 2002, it was van Gaal that was being lined up as his replacement. Although the Dutchman is now 61 and perhaps not the most long-term option, he remains a great managerial mind and could help plug the gap for a few years certainly.
9. Manuel Pellegrini
Wanted by rivals Manchester City, perhaps United could get one over on their neighbours again and hire the talented Chilean. Currently at Malaga, he is said to be happy to stay at the club, but an offer from arguably England’s biggest club may be too good to turn down.
8. Laurent Blanc
Not a tremendous success as a player for Manchester United, but Blanc has gone on to progress in what looks like becoming a good career in managament. Still only 47, the Frenchman has led Bordeaux to the Ligue 1 title and had a good spell in charge of the French national team. And unlike some other candidates, he is current available.
7. Diego Simeone
The Argentinian has worked wonders with Atletico Madrid in his short time in charge, leading them to Europa League glory and turning them into genuine title challengers against the big two in Spain, playing an attractive brand of attacking football while he’s at it. One of the best young managers in the game at 43, he could lead United for many years to come. He may also be able to tempt star striker Falcao to join him at Old Trafford, which would definitely sweeten the deal.
6. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
The former Manchester United striker has made a great start to his career in managament, and was always talked up by Ferguson as having a managerial mind. He has already been groomed by the club to some extent, after a successful spell with their reserve side, and he has won two titles in his native Norway with Molde FK. It may be a bit soon for the 40-year-old, but he’s surely one who will be considered, and don’t be surprised to see him back at Old Trafford at some point in the future.
5. Carlo Ancelotti
The Italian tactician boasts a CV enviable to many in the game. With AC Milan he has won the Serie A title and the Champions League twice, and he was an instant hit in the Premier League, winning the double with Chelsea in his first season in charge before being very harshly sacked by Roman Abramovich. Now at PSG, he is being lined up for the Real Madrid job, but United would be wise to try and get there first.
4. Jurgen Klopp
The Borussia Dortmund boss’ name is on everyone’s lips at the moment as he looks set to leave the club this summer after a fantastic few years. Klopp has worked on a shoestring budget to deliver two Bundesliga titles to Dortmund, as well as leading them to this season’s Champions League final. With United also interested in Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, they might do well to tempt him over by reuniting him with the manager who has got the best out of him.
3. David Moyes
The long-serving Everton boss could finally leave Goodison Park this summer after a decade of fine work with the club. Rumours are already circulating that he is the favourite to replace Ferguson, but his lack of silverware and experience at European level may put them off. No doubt a fine motivator and miracle worker considering his resources at Everton, would he be able to make that step up at a club where there is far more pressure and expectation?
2. Ryan Giggs
There’s always a chance United will look to promote from within, and veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs can’t continue to play forever (though he’s doing his best job, still going strong into his 40th year). Talked up by many as manager material, Giggs could take the reins sooner than expected. And who better to copy Ferguson’s fine work than someone who’s worked under him for his entire career?
1. Jose Mourinho
The Special One is being widely tipped to rejoin Chelsea from Real Madrid this summer, but there couldn’t possibly be a bigger name to replace Ferguson than Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese tactician has brought success wherever he has gone, and is one who we know would welcome the immense pressure and expectation at Old Trafford. The strangely modest behaviour of Mourinho when his Real side won at Old Trafford in the Champions League this season suggests he was keen not to be his usual outspoken self and offend anyone, which perhaps means he was looking to get into Sir Alex’s good books before replacing him this summer? The bonus of this appointment is that it would be heart breaking for Chelsea fans and derail their plans for next season.