Manchester United’s search for a potential replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is unwelcomely complicated.
Unfortunately the managers who may be most tempting to United are all in a job, Erik Ten Hag at Ajax and Mauricio Pochettino at PSG.
BBC Sport report both managers could be tempting for United, along with a controversial pick of Brendan Rodgers, who is also in a job at Leicester.
One well qualified manager without a job is three-time Champions League winning coach Zinedine Zidane. Yet there does not appear to be interest from either party.
ESPN report Zidane is not interested in United and prefers to hold out for the France manager’s job as his next role.
There is another role which Zidane is being linked to, which could be music to United’s ears.
Zidane touted for PSG role
Zidane is subject of ongoing speculation for the Paris Saint-Germain job, despite Pochettino’s presence as manager.
Le10Sport report that while Zidane is not keen on United, he could have a different answer if approached by PSG, who appointed Pochettino when Zidane was in post at Real Madrid.
The outlet describe Zidane as a ‘dream’ appointment for PSG’s ambitious owners, who are desperate to win a first elusive Champions League title fot the club.
Zidane to PSG is complicated by his playing days for French rivals Marseille.
Journalist Pierre Menes does not believe that would hold him back, quoted by Sport France, “The fact that he is Marseillais, that seems to me quite futile as an argument.”
Menes adds that he regards Zidane as a better fit for PSG than their current manager, commenting: “In terms of charisma, Zidane would be a good coach for PSG. I do not see why he would refrain from going to PSG as a coach.
“The results he had with Real Madrid speak for him. As for Pochettino, no matter how much I look, I don’t find many qualities in him.”
Pochettino’s tough PSG challenge
The trouble Mauricio Pochettino faces at PSG is the prospect of the Ligue 1 title not being enough.
Pochettino may have to tick three boxes to avoid the sack and make it into a third season at the club.
The first is a must, to win the Ligue 1 title after losing out to Lille last year. Currently it is so far so good. PSG have a 10 point gap after 13 games ahead of second place Lens.
The second aspect is to win the Champions League, or at least get to the semi-final. PSG last season were eliminated in the semi-finals by Manchester City. They can’t be seen to be going backwards.
The third box Pochettino must tick is to get Lionel Messi firing. The Argentine has not scored a single Ligue 1 goal so far.
PSG have made a considerable investment in Messi and need it to work out.
If Messi’s goalscoring issues persist then it will reflect badly on Pochettino and potentially lead to him being replaced.
With Zidane still out of work, PSG have a tempting back-up option to sound out, if they grow restless with Pochettino.
PSG are also desperately trying to avoid Kylian Mbappe leaving the club on a free transfer.
The club may consider appointing fellow French World Cup winner Zidane as a last ditch throw of the dice to persuade him to stay put.
Can United afford to wait?
Clearly there is a route to Pochettino becoming available next summer, with all the potential pitfalls that await him at PSG.
United’s preference it seems, is to wait and stick with Solskjaer as long as possible and try and ride out this current dip in form.
Pressure is already building on United and it is hard to see the club getting to next summer with Solskjaer still in charge.
Star Sport reported last month Pochettino is still United’s number one choice as manager.
With that in mind, it will be tempting for United to try and ride it out to the end of the season and wait and hope for Pochettino to become available, while also keeping the track open for Erik Ten Hag.
When it comes to United, Zidane seems like a red herring. But he could be pivotal in opening the door for Pochettino.
United just need to find a solution in the mean-time, whether that be the unpopular choice to continue with Solskjaer, or to go for the tricky task of finding an interim.
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