Paul Merson claims fans are ‘still caught up on the Pochettino of seven years ago’ and he ‘doesn’t understand’ why Man United want to hire the PSG boss this summer… as he tells the Red Devils to get Brendan Rodgers instead
- Paul Merson doesn’t know why Man United want to hire Mauricio Pochettino
- The PSG manager is one of the leading candidates to take over at Old Trafford
- But Merson is unsure what the Argentine has done to be worth of the position
- Instead, Merson urged United to hire under-fire Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers
Paul Merson says he cannot understand why Manchester United want to hire Mauricio Pochettino this summer and has urged the Red Devils to pursue Brendan Rodgers instead.
Pochettino is thought to be a leading contender to take over at Old Trafford this summer when the Red Devils announce the long-term successor to the sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Ralf Rangnick arrived at the club in November as interim boss to steady the ship while club chiefs pursue a new full-time boss to take over at the end of the current campaign.
Paul Merson (L) cannot understand why Manchester United want Mauricio Pochettino (R)
Merson believes under-fire Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers should be the leading candidate
It is thought to be a two-horse race at present between Paris Saint-Germain boss Pochettino and Ajax’s Erik ten Hag, although Rodgers and Brighton’s Graham Potter have also been linked to the post.
But, writing in his Sky Sports column, Merson admitted he’s ‘not sure what the obsession is’ with the Argentine boss and he ‘doesn’t understand why’ he is considered one of the favourites.
The former Arsenal star wrote: ‘I don’t understand why Manchester United would be waiting for Mauricio Pochettino. I don’t get it. If Pochettino doesn’t win the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, why would they be going in for him?
‘You’ve got to remember he failed to win the French league last year, too. That’s virtually impossible to do. Everybody keeps saying they need to go out and get Pochettino but I don’t understand why.
‘It does my head in. It’s all I ever hear. What did he do? He got Tottenham to the final of the Champions League and his side finished third one year in the Premier League.
Ajax coach Erik ten Hag has also been heavily linked with the vacancy at Old Trafford
‘Football is all about timing. If Leicester were second in the Premier League right now and still in the cups, Brendan Rodgers would be the bookmakers’ favourite to be the next manager of Man Utd.
‘If I was in charge at United, I’d be going for Rodgers or Graham Potter now. People are still caught up on the Pochettino of seven years ago.
‘He took Tottenham as far as he could, and then you’ve got someone like Rodgers who has done a far better job than what Pochettino did.’
As Sportsmail revealed last week, several first-team players have indicated they would prefer Pochettino at Old Trafford rather than Ten Hag.
United have admired the Argentine since he was at Tottenham and Ed Woodward, Arnold’s predecessor at Old Trafford, tried to lure him away from Paris Saint-Germain after sacking Solskjaer.
When the Ligue 1 giants made clear they would not entertain the possibility of losing the 49-year-old mid-season, Woodward appointed Rangnick instead.
United players are said to prefer Pochettino to take over at Old Trafford, rather than Ten Hag
While PSG remain on course to reclaim the Ligue 1 title from Lille, Pochettino’s future at the Parc des Princes remains shrouded in doubt as he is under pressure to deliver a Champions League triumph.
The French giants take on Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.
United players are said to be impressed with Pochettino, who took Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019 and established them as a top-four side despite working on a relatively small budget.
Conversely, Rangnick is understood to prefer ten Hag, who has won two Eredivisie titles with Ajax while developing a core of young, talented players.
United are keen to make a decision on their next manager before the end of the season, in order to have Rangnick’s replacement in place as soon as possible so he can play a part in new signings and contract renewals among the current squad.
