Manchester United are hunting for a new manager following the early hours sacking of David Moyes, and while Ryan Giggs is temporarily at the helm, united team is searching for a permanent leader.
Many names have been thrown around, but here are the likely top contenders to be the Red Devils next manager.
1. Louis van Gaal
62-year-old Netherlands manager who is busy preparing for the upcoming World Cup, where his side will once again be one of the favourites.
However, he has made no secret of his desire to manage
in the Premier League and has already been heavily linked with Tottenham
Fc and United.
Van Gaal who have a superb track record – with seven league
titles in four countries, the Champions League and UEFA Cup. And he
recently claimed that Robin van Persie is happier playing for his
Holland side than for United.
His last job in club management was in the year 2011 though, and he was sacked by Bayern Munich after only finishing third in the league.
2. Carlos Queiroz
Carlos Queiroz who knows United inside out, having enjoyed two hugely successful stints as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson from 2002-2003 and 2004-2008.He was also regarded as an innovative and meticulous coach and was credited with helping turn Cristiano Ronaldo from callow youth to one of the world’s best players.
Yet his one stint as manager of a major club side – when he took charge of Real Madrid in 2003-2004 – was pretty disastrous.
Despite signing a two-year contract, the Portuguese lasted only 10 months after Real lost their final five matches of the season and finished fifth in the table.
3. Sir Alex Ferguson
A famous name in the books of the Red Devils and in the English football..What more can we say about Ferguson, the most successful manager in the history of English football?
The contrast between this season under David Moyes and the previous 20 under the legendary Scot has been stark.
Gone is the bravado, confidence and never-say-die attitude, replaced by doubt and uncertainty.
Almost every single United fan would welcome the Scot back with open arms. But surely he wouldn’t turn back on his decision to retire and return to Old Trafford, would he…?
4. Jurgen Klopp
When Mirror Sport ran recent poll asking United fans who they wanted as their next boss, Klopp came out on top by a distance.
He is an energetic, charismatic, plays excellent football, develops youth – and wins trophies.
In his five seasons at Borussia Dortmund, he has claimed two
Bundesliga titles, the German Cup and reached the final of last
season’s Champions League.
Yet with the club about to lose another star player to
domestic rivals Bayern Munich this summer – Robert Lewandowski – might
the German decide he has taken the club as far as he can?
Klopp enjoys a project and restoring of one of the world’s biggest football clubs to their former glories could tempt him.
However, he appeared to rule himself out of the running
on Tuesday. “Man United is a great club and I feel very familiar with
their wonderful fans. But my commitment to Borussia Dortmund and the
people is not breakable,” he told the Guardian.
5. Ryan Giggs
This Welshman’s name is inextricably linked with United’s
glories under Sir Alex Ferguson – and also is the man the club have
turned to as the interim boss.
During a 24-year playing career he has won four FA Cups, three League Cups, thirteen Premier
League titles, and two Champions
Leagues, making him the most decorated player ever in the history of English
football.
This season he has combined (occasional) appearances as a player with a place on the United coaching staff.
So he would be a novice and it would also be a gamble for united to appoint
him as manager for the long term, but he’d be a popular choice with a
wide section of the support – perhaps in tandem with a more experienced
director of football?
6. Diego Simeone
The Argentine man is widely regarded as the best young
manager in European football, having led Atletico Madrid to the top of
La Liga and the Champions League semi-finals.
He’s abrasive and bullish – as he was as a player – and has crafted a committed and technically accomplished team.
The 43-year-old – who famously got David Beckham sent
off at the 1998 World Cup – might decide now is the right time to take
the plunge and move to one of the world’s biggest clubs.
7. Antonio Conte
A Great midfielder in his playing days, who has restored Juventus to their former greatness once more...
His managerial career began in the lower leagues, where
he got both Bari and Siena promoted, before earning a chance at his
former club, the ‘Old Lady’ of Italian football.
Juve (Juventus) are now on the verge to win their third straight league title under the 44-year-old’s clever leadership.
Conte is tactically astute and innovative, although his
lack of impact in the Champions League might concern the Old Trafford
hierarchy.
8. Pep Guardiola
Almost invented a new approach to the game, with his fast-pressing, possession-based style at Barcelona.It yielded impressive results, with three consecutive La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups and two Champions Leagues.
He left Barca for a sabbatical in 2012, but has carried on where he left off at Bayern Munich, securing the Bunesliga with several games to spare and reaching the Champions League semis.
His track record and attractive style of play would make him a huge hit at United. Indeed he was one of the favourites to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson – not least because he is close to the legendary manager.
But would he leave Bayern?
9. Fabio Capello
Indisputably one of the top managers of the last 30 years, with a proven track record of success at the highest level.
He has won seven league titles with three different clubs in two countries, as well as managing England and Russia.
Yet, at 67, he would not be a long-term appointment and was hardly a huge success with England.
Furthermore, he has just signed a four-year contract extension to manager Russia until the end of the 2018 World Cup. Unlikely.
10. Frank de Boer
De Boer was a hugely successful player who has slipped seamlessly into maagement with Ajax.
The Dutch giants are on the verge of their fourth
consecutive Eredivisie title under De Boer, although they were
surprisingly battered 5-1 by Zwolle in the final of the domestic cup
last weekend.
De Boer has achieved his success on a relatively modest
budget (by European standards), while playing attractive football, with a
host of academy products.
Unsurprisingly, he has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy a known admirer.
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