What new Manchester United owner thinks of Pochettino

It was no secret that new Manchester United co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe once had an interest in hiring former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino. If those reports are to play their way out again, it could stand as a pivotal role in the Argentine’s next managerial move, following his departure from Chelsea after just one season.

Chelsea confirmed the exit of the 52-year-old manager, who had a mixed tenure but managed to lead the team to a top-six finish, escaping the bottom half of the table.

Pochettino expressed gratitude to the club and its supporters in a statement:

“Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and Sporting Directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club’s history. The Club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come.”

With Pochettino now available, speculation is rife about his potential next move. According to Sky Bet, he is the odds-on favorite to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag is currently under real pressure after guiding Manchester United to their worst-ever finish in Premier League history, ending in eighth place. United’s only chance for European football now hinges on the FA Cup final, where they must defeat Manchester City to secure a spot in the Europa League.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has previously attempted to recruit Pochettino, might be particularly interested in his newfound availability. In 2022, ESPN reported that Ratcliffe was eager to bring Pochettino to manage Nice, indicating his willingness to make substantial financial commitments to secure the Argentine’s services.

Given this history, it seems likely that Pochettino would be a top candidate for Ratcliffe if Manchester United decides to part ways with Ten Hag. As the situation unfolds, Pochettino’s next move will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.