Following his abrupt departure from Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino has swiftly emerged as the bookmakers’ favorite to become the next manager of Manchester United. On Tuesday evening, Chelsea confirmed that Pochettino had parted ways with the club by mutual consent after just one season at the helm. The former Tottenham manager faced significant challenges at Stamford Bridge, leading a youthful and inexperienced squad through a period of rebuilding. Despite these hurdles, there were glimpses of progress as the team ended the season on a positive note, winning their final five league games to secure a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
However, after discussions with Chelsea’s management, Pochettino decided to step down. His departure highlights that his reputation remains intact, as he is already being considered for other high-profile managerial positions.
At Manchester United, current manager Erik ten Hag is under intense scrutiny following a disappointing season. The Dutchman saw his team finish eighth in the Premier League and fail to advance beyond the group stage of the Champions League. Although Ten Hag has an opportunity to salvage some pride with an upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City, this might not be enough to secure his tenure at Old Trafford.
Pochettino has quickly become the leading candidate to replace Ten Hag, should the latter be dismissed. According to Betfair, Pochettino is the favorite with odds of 2/1, though he is not the only contender for the Manchester United job.
The odds for potential candidates to become the next Manchester United manager are as follows, according to Betfair:
– Mauricio Pochettino: 2/1
– Thomas Tuchel: 5/1
– Roberto De Zerbi: 11/2
– Gareth Southgate: 7/1
– Graham Potter: 8/1
– Kieran McKenna: 10/1
– Thomas Frank: 12/1
– Ruben Amorim: 14/1
– Zinedine Zidane: 16/1
– Ange Postecoglou: 20/1
– Hansi Flick: 20/1
– Gary O’Neil: 25/1
– Francesco Farioli: 25/1
– Luis Enrique: 25/1
– Xavi Hernandez: 25/1
Thomas Tuchel, available after his departure from Bayern Munich at the end of the season, stands as the second favorite with odds of 5/1. Roberto De Zerbi, who recently left Brighton, is also in contention with odds of 11/2, making him the third favorite for the position.
In addition to these leading candidates, several other notable names are being considered. Gareth Southgate, the current England national team manager, has odds of 7/1, while former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is listed at 8/1. Other potential candidates include Kieran McKenna (10/1), Thomas Frank (12/1), Ruben Amorim (14/1), and former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane (16/1).
Further down the list, Ange Postecoglou and Hansi Flick both have odds of 20/1. Gary O’Neil, Francesco Farioli, Luis Enrique, and Xavi Hernandez each have odds of 25/1.
Pochettino’s availability and his impressive track record make him a significant figure in discussions about Manchester United’s managerial future, especially given Erik ten Hag’s precarious position. With the season drawing to a close and major changes potentially on the horizon, the speculation around Pochettino’s next move is intensifying. His proven ability to manage top-tier teams and navigate challenging transitions makes him an attractive option for Manchester United as they seek to restore their status in English and European football. The coming weeks will be crucial as the club’s hierarchy evaluates their options and prepares for what could be a pivotal summer in shaping the team’s future trajectory.