There has been a lot of speculation about who is next in line to become Manchester United manager. It looks like Ralf Rangnick will take charge on an interim basis, until the end of the season, meaning Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely to leave Paris Saint-Germain mid season.
That has pretty much been confirmed by PSG sporting director Leonardo.
It was reported earlier in the week that United were ‘confident’ of appointing Pochettino as manager, as per the Manchester Evening News, with the Argentine willing to switch Paris for Manchester straightaway.
Pochettino, who is under contract at the French club until 2023, is believed to be one of the leading candidates for the job this summer.
It was reported during the week that PSG held talks with Zinedine Zidane, but Leonardo also dismissed such suggestions (presumably because Zizou wasn’t interested in the job at the time).
“We do not want Pochettino to leave,” Leonardo said, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“He never asked to leave and no club contacted us in relation to him.
“We have a lot of respect for Zinedine Zidane, for what he did as a player and coach, but I can tell you very clearly that there is no contact and that no meeting with him has taken place.
“It’s ridiculous to imagine that a meeting with Zinedine Zidane could have taken place in a big hotel in Paris in front of the eyes of everyone.”
Who said a meeting couldn’t take place via Zoom or in Qatar? We already know Zidane has friends there.
At least it now looks like United have a plan — with or without Pochettino.
My initial thinking is that Rangnick coming in as as interim manager may lead to a leaning towards Ajax manager Erik ten Hag in the summer.
Time will tell, but the German should be part of that decision process along with John Murtough and Darren Fletcher.
