Francesco Farioli may be one of the names on Manchester United’s radar as Erik ten Hag fights for his job with the Nice coach admired by the Premier League club’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Clearly, INEOS are not afraid to make big or bold decisions. Rather than hand the reigns to a more experienced operator, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co instead threw their weight behind a 33-year-old who had only ever coached in the Turkish Super Lig with Fatih Karagumruk and Alanyaspor respectively.
Six months into the Francesco Farioli era, Nice are second in France’s top flight. They can also boast the best defensive record in the division with just 11 goals conceded. Any risks associated with Farioli’s appointment, it’s fair to say, have been emphatically dispelled.
So, with that in mind, it should perhaps not come as too much of a surprise to see the baby-faced Italian mentioned in conjunction with the Manchester United job, especially after confirmation of Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent takeover.
Erik ten Hag fighting for Manchester United future
TEAMtalk report that the INEOS chief has a number of potential Ten Hag replacements under considarion. Graham Potter, the man most frequently linked with the Old Trafford job, is one of those. Ditto Roberto de Zerbi, who inspired Brighton a 3-1 win away at the Red Devils in the autumn.
Farioli is the third name put forward by TEAMtalk. Formerly of the feted Aspire Academy in Qatar, Farioli actually cut his coaching teeth alongside Di Zerbi in Sassuolo.
And while he idolises purists such as Pep Guardiola, Marcelo Bielsa and Mikel Arteta, Nice’s rock-solid defensive record suggests that Farioli is not merely wedded to his preferred free-flowing style. Adding a pragmatic streak to his possession-heavy principles.
“I met Jim Ratcliffe a few days after (taking the Nice job)” Farioli told The Telegraph in November.
“But from his side, the first time we met, the feeling he transferred to me, it was really like the feeling of somebody that was really aware of many things. I felt already known before knowing him.
“It was a really warm welcome.”
Ratcliffe is a big fan of Francesco Farioli
Ten Hag’s job is as safe it realistically can be for now. Ratcliffe’s focus is currently fixed on off-the-pitch appointments such as those of Jean-Claude Blanc, Omar Berrada and (potentially) Dan Ashworth. But a disappointing second half of an already pretty dismal season may leave the Dutchman at risk under an ownership structure desperate to put things right on the grass.
Interestingly, Farioli is currently coaching the man who could yet be Man United’s next big centre-back signing; Jean-Clair Todibo.
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