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Man Utd delighted by Pochettino’s impending availability but joined by FOUR other clubs in race for PSG manager
MAURICIO POCHETTINO is on the brink of being axed by Paris-Saint Germain after their Champions League exit at Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
The competitive and ambitious Argentine is angry and annoyed at the last-16 second-leg defeat at the Bernabeu and his impending departure from the French giants, but he knows full well he will not be out of work for long.
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The word on the street in Salford is the top brass at Manchester United are jumping up and down at the prospect of Pochettino’s impending availability.
But the Red Devils are not the only big gun in Europe eyeing the former Tottenham boss.
LaLiga leaders Real Madrid - the club which sounded his PSG death knell by dumping them out of the competition he was specifically hired to win - and city rivals Atletico are monitoring his situation with particular interest.
And in these strangest of times, if Pep Guardiola decides to walk away from Manchester City this summer with his head held high after leading them to Champions League glory or Chelsea’s new owner opt to give Thomas Tuchel the brush off with their new broom, they could turn to Poch as well.
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Then of course there are his old sweethearts Spurs where Antonio Conte seems to be staying one minute, leaving the next.
The reality is, nobody expects the Italian to hang around for long.
If he were to leave the North Londoners sooner rather than later, chairman Daniel Levy would have his old pal back in a heartbeat.
There might be a lot of ifs, buts and maybes as far as Pochettino’s next job is concerned, but one thing is certain - he will not be short of options or offers.
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And do not think either that after his unremarkable stint in France he will now be viewed as damaged goods.
The managerial merry-go-round he is now on does not care about riders’ failures.
Besides, Poch’s predecessor at PSG Tuchel is proof being sacked by Ligue 1 giants is not an end to a coach’s career but a catalyst.
That said, Manchester United remain the favourites to land Pochettino after recently confirming Ralf Rangnick’s current spell as boss is strictly interim.
Quite what the ramifications of their desired appointment would have on the German’s future role as a football consultant remains to be seen.
It is unlikely both would be willing to work with each other, but United would not care about that.
The recruiting Red Devils have had the former Tottenham manager in their sights for six years at least.
Legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was even pictured having lunch with the then-Spurs chief in a restaurant in Mayfair in May 2016.
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After Jose Mourinho was appointed the new Old Trafford manager a few days later, Pochettino revealed he had turned down an offer from United to become their gaffer.
Tapas or tapping-up? You decide.
Pochettino was quoted this week as saying Tottenham will always be his club and hold a special place in his heart.
He is one of the best Spurs bosses of the modern era, having led the success-starved North Londoners, without a trophy since 2008, to the 2019 Champions League final and a string of top-four Prem finishes.
But his love for his old club would not stop the friend and long-time admirer of Fergie from taking over at Old Trafford.
And the manager with a reputation for being a father figure to so many young players could be just what is needed for a United dressing room in desperate need of some direction and an arm around the shoulder.
Not to mention a few kicks up the backsides.
Despite his friendly persona, Poch is capable of cracking the whip as well.
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After all, you do not become a defender for Argentina by handing out cuddles and flowers.
That is why he will not be out of the game for long after he is out of the door at PSG.
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