After his unexpected departure from Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino has quickly become the leading candidate for the Manchester United managerial position, according to bookmakers. Confirmation came on Tuesday evening that Pochettino and Chelsea had mutually agreed to part ways after just one season at Stamford Bridge.
During his tenure at Chelsea, Pochettino faced the challenging task of managing a young and inexperienced squad amid a rebuilding phase for the club.
Despite these difficulties, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager seemed to be steering the team in the right direction, evidenced by a strong finish to the season where Chelsea won their last five league matches to secure a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
However, after discussions with Chelsea’s management, Pochettino decided to leave the club. His quick emergence as a candidate for other significant managerial roles suggests that his reputation remains highly regarded.
Currently, Erik ten Hag is the manager of Manchester United. However, the Dutchman’s position is under threat following a disappointing season where the Red Devils finished eighth in the Premier League and were eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League.
With an upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City, ten Hag has a chance to end the season on a positive note. Nevertheless, this may not be enough to secure his future at Old Trafford.
Betting odds place Pochettino as the favorite to replace ten Hag should Manchester United decide to make a managerial change. Betfair lists Pochettino at 2/1 odds to take over at United, highlighting him as the most likely candidate. However, he is not the only name being considered.
Other contenders for the Manchester United job include Thomas Tuchel, with Betfair placing him at 5/1 odds. Tuchel recently departed Bayern Munich, making him available for new opportunities.
Roberto De Zerbi, who parted ways with Brighton, is another strong candidate with 11/2 odds. Gareth Southgate, the current England manager, also features in the list with 7/1 odds, while former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is given 8/1 odds.
Additional names in the running include Kieran McKenna (10/1), Thomas Frank (12/1), and Ruben Amorim (14/1). The list extends to notable managers such as Zinedine Zidane (16/1), Ange Postecoglou (20/1), and Hansi Flick (20/1). Other potential candidates are Gary O’Neil, Francesco Farioli, Luis Enrique, and Xavi Hernandez, each with 25/1 odds.
The availability of Thomas Tuchel, who is now a free agent after his stint with Bayern Munich, and Roberto De Zerbi, who has left Brighton, adds to the pool of experienced managers that Manchester United could consider.
Tuchel, in particular, is seen as a strong contender due to his track record with major European clubs.
