Not long after being let go from Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino is once more being connected to the Manchester United managerial position.
Mauricio Pochettino has been turned down by Man United in the past (Image: Getty)
This summer, Mauricio Pochettino is once again being linked to a transfer to Manchester United. Additionally, the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the head of INEOS, might persuade the team to hire the recently unsigned free agent after all.
Despite the Red Devils’ FA Cup victory over Manchester City on Saturday, it is widely expected that they will part ways with current manager Erik ten Hag. Although the Dutchman led the team back into the Europa League as a consequence, United’s worst-ever Premier League finish of eighth may have already led to his dismissal.
Chelsea fired 52-year-old Pochettino earlier in May, even though his team had a strong enough season to finish sixth in the league. Although it’s thought that United has been reluctant to appoint the former Tottenham and Southampton manager in the past, he hasn’t been short of admirers at Old Trafford in the past.
One such instance occurred in 2022, when it seemed Pochettino and Ten Hag were competing head-to-head for the United post. Journalist Guillem Balague, however, claimed in a BBC Sport article that some Old Trafford decision-makers viewed his Paris Saint-Germain accomplishments as “insufficient” and chose the Dutchman in its place.
It was also mentioned that Ten Hag’s accomplishments with Ajax, which included three league championships and a trip to the Champions League semifinals, may have impressed the Glazer family more. Later, Pochettino talked about the sliding-door incident and seemed to accept that he didn’t get the United job.
In 2022, Radio Marca cited him as saying, “Football is timing.” These are the ideal circumstances for it to align and for that marriage to take place. It’s simply a matter of time sometimes.
“I don’t think trains run through stations just once. In my opinion, there are instances when having the required patience and knowing when to wait are essential. It is true that football manages the “timing,” and my name has always been connected to major teams.”
Suddenly, it seems likely that Pochettino will have another chance to lead United if the same train makes the rounds again. Assuming the new administration is more receptive to his candidacy than the outgoing one.
Pochettino’s most recent position at Stamford Bridge wasn’t without its challenges. Still, one could argue that virtually any manager would have been hindered by the high player turnover and emphasis on developing young talent.
Furthermore, Chelsea’s successful season finale suggested that things were finally clicking for the South American manager. The Blues finished higher in the standings than United because they only lost twice in their final 20 games of the regular season (not counting overtime). They also finished the season with five straight victories.
Any talk of a move for free agent Pochettino is merely conjecture at this point since Ten Hag’s future remains undetermined. But United might not have many more chances like this to sign the strategist who has been associated with them so frequently lately.
Kieran McKenna, the former United coach, Roberto De Zerbi, and Graham Potter are also contenders. Thanks to Saturday’s FA Cup victory, United’s manager will now play in the Europa League, while Pochettino’s former team, Chelsea, will now have to settle for a spot in the Europa Conference League.
