Manchester United: Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag ‘frontrunners to land permanent job’

Manchester United ‘could appoint a new permanent manager before the end of the season’ with Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag the frontrunners… while Brendan Rodgers ‘is still under consideration’ at Old Trafford

  • Manchester United are still on the hunt for their next permanent manager
  • Ralf Rangnick has been in interim charge since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking
  • Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are reportedly United’s top two targets
  • But Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers also remains a contender to replace Solskjaer 


Manchester United could appoint a new permanent manager before the end of the season with the club still on the hunt for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s successor, according to reports.

United dismissed Solskjaer back in November amidst a dreadful run of one win in seven matches, with Ralf Rangnick taking temporary charge of the side until the end of the season.

Once a new full-time boss is found, Rangnick will move into a consultancy role at Old Trafford alongside director John Murtough and Richard Arnold, who is set to replace Ed Woodward as executive vice-chairman when he departs next month.

Man United could appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s replacement before the end of the season

According to Manchester Evening News, United are looking to nail down their next manager well in advance of the summer transfer window’s opening date of July 1.

The club are understood to believe ‘the sooner the better’ with hiring a new coach after witnessing Tottenham’s long-winded attempt to replace Jose Mourinho last year.

PSG’s Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax’s Erik ten Hag remain the frontrunners to take the Old Trafford reins, while Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers is also still under consideration after being sounded out towards the end of Solskjaer’s tenure.

Mauricio Pochettino has spent over a year at PSG

Erik ten Hag took over as Ajax manager back in 2017

Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are the frontrunners to land the permanent United job

United are determined to avoid a repeat of the delay they suffered when appointing David Moyes back in 2013. Moyes was confirmed as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor on May 9 but the club decided against paying Everton compensation to release him from his contract earlier than its June 30 expiry date.

As a result, the Scot, who was sacked the following April, officially started work at United on July 1 and has since admitted he regrets not arriving sooner. 

Pochettino is reportedly still keen on joining the Red Devils and was even prepared to make the move mid-season before Rangnick took temporary charge.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is also in consideration for the Old Trafford hot-seat

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is also in consideration for the Old Trafford hot-seat

United were contemplating releasing the Argentine from his PSG contract, which runs until 2023, only for the French club to ‘play hardball’ in negotiations.

Ten Hag, meanwhile, has admirers at Old Trafford after ending Ajax’s five-year wait for a Dutch title in 2019 and guiding them to the Champions League semi-finals that season.

United and Ajax also have a positive relationship after doing business successfully for the transfer of Donny van de Beek back in 2020.