Manchester United are on the hunt for a new manager and Mauricio Pochettino, who is less than a year into his stint at Paris Saint-Germain, has emerged as one of the frontrunners to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Solskjaer was sacked by Manchester United following his side’s dismal 4-1 defeat to Watford, with Michael Carrick now in charge of the team as caretaker manager.
Pochettino has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the past and amid Solskjaer’s sacking, reports claimed that talks had already been held between United and Pochettino’s camp.
Amid heavy links of a mid-season switch to Old Trafford, Pochettino was quizzed on those rumours before his pre-match press conference as he prepares his side to face Manchester City in the Champions League.
“I’m happy in Paris,” he told RMC Sport, via Sport Witness. “I know all this well, all my life as a player or manager, I’ve lived this type of situation. Things are happening, it’s not my responsibility. What I’m going to tell you, if you ask me, I’m happy in Paris.”
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SN’s verdict on Pochettino’s comments…
The 49-year-old is experienced enough to not disrespect his employers in the midst of a potential managerial change. Pochettino is thought to be unhappy in Paris but that’s hardly something he will publicly admit.
Pochettino has Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar at his disposable – he would struggle to convince people how any manager could be unhappy with that.
In truth, his response to the rumours is probably the best Manchester United fans could have hoped for. He didn’t shoot the suggestions down but instead kept it short and sweet, open for interpretation. There was no unequivocal denial and ruling himself out.
Pochettino has been linked with the job on several occasions before and the Old Trafford hierarchy are said to be admirers – will they finally get their man?
Of course he’s going to say that . LVG was the very same before he joined playing down any speculation. It’s a well know fact that he would be open to taken over at United and has said so in the past . His family are settled in the UK and like the lifestyle.
And of course the chance of being back in the Premier League rather then the over rather French league would be something that would really appeal. Another thing that works in our favour is his close friendship with Sir Alex.
The question is are the Glazers prepared to part with the 10 million that would be required to buy him out of his current PSG contract or play the waiting game till the summer.
Woodward seem to have changed his tune about leaving and I wouldn’t put it past the snake if he used the Pochettino approach as a way of warming his way back into the books of us fans . But we’re not that gullible