Manchester United look set to finally sack manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after three years at the helm, with Zinedine Zidane the early favourite to replace him.
United’s owners arranged an emergency conference call after Saturday’s humbling 4-1 defeat to Watford – their seventh loss under Solskjaer in 13 games.
It has been reported that the Glazer family instructed managing director Richard Arnold to start looking for a successor, with technical director Darren Fletcher tipped to take charge on an interim basis.
Solskjaer, whose side sit seventh in the Premier League, indicated after the loss at Vicarage Road that he would continue to battle on as manager despite a growing section of United’s fanbase demanding change.
“I’m working for and with the club, I’ve been here for 18 years and we have a good communication and if the club are thinking about doing something that’s a conversation between us and not between you and me,” he said after the match.
“The results are not good enough we know that – we went 30 games unbeaten away and now we lose two on the bounce, conceding four in both of them.”
While there has been no official announcement from the club, the Glazers appear to have decided to end what has been a miserable few months for the Norwegian, who spent more than £120m on new players in the summer only to see the team’s results worsen this autumn.
Zidane favourite for next Man Utd manager
It is understood that former Real Madrid boss Zidane would be United’s top choice to replace Solskjaer. Club officials are said to be working on increasing their financial package for the Frenchman/.
The likes of Brendan Rodgers and Mauricio Pochettino have also been muted as possible targets – but Zidane is currently out of a job and would prove a much easier acquisition.
There were calls for Solskjaer to be axed earlier in the season, with some fans hoping a deal for ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte would be possible. But the Italian is now in charge of Tottenham after agreeing to be their new manager during the international break.
Zidane would certainly bring pedigree to one of the top jobs in world football, which was given to Solskjaer after the Norwegian steadied the ship following Jose Mourinho’s departure.
The World Cup winner steered Real to two La Liga titles during two spells in charge at the Bernabeu and, perhaps more impressively, three successive Champions League wins between 2016 and 2018.
Zidane never played in England during his career and Real is the only team he has managed. The 49-year-old has also been linked with the France job should Didier Deschamps quit the national side after the 2022 World Cup next winter.
Next Man Utd manager odds
- Zinedine Zidane: 8-11
- Brendan Rodgers: 5-2
- Erik ten Hag: 11-1
- Mauricio Pochettino: 14-1
- Ralf Rangnick: 18-1
- Roberto Martinez: 20-1
- Luis Enrique: 25-1
- Graham Potter: 25-1
- Roberto Mancini: 25-1
- Cristiano Ronaldo: 25-1
- 33-1 bar
Odds via Betfair and correct as of 20 November
As for United, it appears Fletcher will be in charge for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Villarreal. Switching out the manager now will give a newcomer little time to get used to their new surroundings.
The Watford clash is the first of 12 over the next 44 days, which encompasses the festive fixture pile-up. United are already six points off the top four and face Chelsea in the league next Sunday, before a midweek clash against Arsenal.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3DFDRP5
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