‘It’s an incredible job’: Mauricio Pochettino would ‘absolutely’ be open to managing Man United after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking, insists Harry Redknapp – who says former Spurs boss ‘wants to live in England’
Mauricio Pochettino would ‘absolutely’ be open to managing Manchester United after the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Harry Redknapp has insisted.
Club legend Solskjaer was axed at the weekend after the disastrous 4-1 defeat at Watford, and Pochettino has quickly been identified as a potential successor.
Indeed, Pochettino – the former Tottenham boss and current Paris Saint-Germain coach – would be interested in filling the vacancy, as Sportsmail has reported.
Mauricio Pochettino would jump at the chance to manage Man United, Harry Redknapp says
United are on the search for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s successor after his sacking at the weekend
And Redknapp, who has also managed the north London club in the past, believes that the 49-year-old would jump at the chance to finally take over at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: ‘Pochettino, I’m sure he’d love the job. But Poch had five good years at Tottenham and didn’t win a trophy, as good as he was.
‘I’m sure it is a job that anybody would jump at – to manage Man United, one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Pochettino, currently the PSG boss, would be interested in taking up the United vacancy now
‘There will be plenty of people that would love that job, for sure.’
And when quizzed on whether Pochettino may decide to quit PSG and join United instead, Redknapp was confident the move may happen.
‘Absolutely. I’m sure he would,’ he added. ‘His family are still in England, he obviously wants to live in England now.
‘Without a doubt. You can’t turn Man United down, it’s an incredible job.’
Redknapp believes it is impossible to ‘turn Man United down’ and labelled the job ‘incredible’
Solskjaer’s near three-year reign was brought to an end after the disastrous 4-1 loss at Watford
As Sportsmail revealed yesterday, Pochettino is prepared to leave PSG now because he is unhappy at the club.
He has been living in a hotel while his family remain in London, and is also struggling to deal with big dressing room egos like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Pochettino was linked with the United job when Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in December 2018, and still has admirers among the hierarchy at Old Trafford.
However, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is another candidate who would be interested in stepping in – although it is believed he would not be available until the summer.
Pochettino is living in a Paris hotel while his family, including wife Karina (left), are in London
Brendan Rodgers, Zinedine Zidane and Ralf Rangnick are among the other contenders, with the search underway for Solskjaer’s permanent replacement.
For now, coach Michael Carrick has been handed the reins on a caretaker basis with the idea of appointing an interim boss until the end of the season.
In his first press conference, ahead of United’s Champions League clash against Villarreal, Carrick insisted he has his ‘own ideas’ for how the side should play.
Asked if fans can expect changes in approach, he said: ‘We will have to wait and see.
Coach Michael Carrick has been handed the reins on a temporary basis after Solskjaer’s axing
‘I worked closely with Ole and we do have very similar beliefs – we did as players and we certainly do as coaches.
‘Of course I’ve got my own personality to Ole but we’re very similar and that’s why we worked together for so long.
‘I’m not giving too much away about what my plans are but I’m clear in my own mind about how we want to play and I’m looking forward to seeing that on the pitch.’
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