Manchester United
Premier League • England
Talks held today as Man Utd tempt 56-year-old interim boss with stunning promise
Manchester United chiefs will on Monday hold talks with Laurent Blanc over the interim managerial vacancy at Old Trafford and plan to tempt him by dangling a tempting carrot, claims a report.
The Red Devils are beginning the complicated process of finding a new manager. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer parted ways with the club on Sunday morning, his exit coming as no surprise given the way results had badly slipped.
Indeed, a 4-1 humiliation at Watford proved the final straw, though the United legend was at least granted a dignified exit in an emotional goodbye interview.
The process of recruiting a new boss looks a complicated one. With Michael Carrick placed in temporary charge, the club are already well underway in finding the Norwegian’s successor.
As far as recruiting a permanent successor, United appear very much drawn to Mauricio Pochettino. Indeed, reports on Monday morning suggest he could even be installed immediately.
However, it appears far more likely that Pochettino’s prospective appointment will be delayed until the summer.
That will leave United, in the meantime, seeking an interim boss capable of guiding them through the rest of the season.
Indeed, Michael Carrick has been put in immediate charge of the side ahead of Tuesday’s vital Champions League clash at Villarreal. However, a report claims senior stars at Old Trafford are ‘in revolt’ over the decision to give Carrick the reins.
That said, a report claims United bosses are indeed looking elsewhere in their hunt for a temporary replacement. To that end, Football Insider claims preliminary talks with Blanc on Monday.
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They state that Blanc is held within high regard by United officials and retains a solid relationship with legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Furthermore, United’s owners, the Glazers, are reportedly fully behind the plan to hand Blanc the job on an interim basis.
As such, they state that talks will be held with Blanc to ascertain his interest in taking charge for the rest of the season.
The Frenchman, 56, previously managed Bordeaux, France, and PSG. He is currently in charge at Qatar side Al-Rayyan after being appointed in 2020.
United tempt Blanc with stunning offer
Football Insider also claims Blanc will be told he can take the reins with a view to the long term.
In what is regarded as something of a job audition, they claim Blanc could even become their permanent manager. Indeed, should the Frenchman make an excellent impression in the role, he will be considered for a much longer contract.
Quite how they intend to measure his success in the role though remains to be seen. However, the club’s hierarchy will retain their top-four ambitions despite their shaky current form. Furthermore, the ending of their four-year trophy drought will also seriously strengthen his prospects.
Blanc has won four league titles as a manager, with three at PSG and one at Bordeaux.
He’s not the only interim manager in contention, however. Indeed reports claim Wayne Rooney and Steve Bruce are also being considered.
Both men have seemingly made clear their interest in being given that chance.
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