Local paper names the boss Man Utd want to succeed Mourinho

Jose Mourinho: Faces former club Chelsea on Monday night

Jose Mourinho: Faces former club Chelsea on Monday night

Manchester United bosses see Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino as the ideal eventual successor to Jose Mourinho, according to reports in the local media.

The Manchester Evening News claims United’s hierarchy have identified the the Argentine as the man they would next like to fill the managerial hotseat at Old Trafford – that’s despite the club handing Mourinho a new long-term deal last week.

Ed Woodward and Co moved to dampen increased speculation that Mourinho could be lured to PSG this summer by handing the Portuguese coach a new deal to tie him to the club to 2020, with the new deal including the option of an extra year to 2021.

Such has been the progress under Mourinho – two major trophies and on course for their highest Premier League finish since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement – the club were eager to tie him down and ensure talk of a move to France would be quickly quelled.

However, the club always believe in planning ahead and the MEN claims the nature of Spurs’ utterly dominant performance against United at Wembley on Wednesday only strengthened the belief within the club that the Argentine is one of the most impressive coaches in world football right now.

While there is no desire to hasten Mourinho’s departure – the decision to tie up his future for a further year when only midway through is contract is evidence of that – the fact that Pochettino remains of interest points to the club’s longer-term planning.

The paper claims that while United remain happy with Mourinho, they believe the fact that his extension was just for 12 extra months, when the expectation was that it would be for two years, is indicative of the club’s long-term strategies.

And they believe that gives United breathing room to consider their options and react, should Pochettino’s situation alter at Spurs.

 

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