Zidane is lined up to replace Pochettino, should he leave PSG
Paris Saint-Germain’s players reportedly believe that Zinedine Zidane becoming their new manager is ‘imminent’, with current boss with Mauricio Pochettino keen to take over at Manchester United.
Pochettino has been heavily linked to the vacant manager’s job at Old Trafford following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the weekend.
Should the Argentine leave the Parc des Princes for a return to the Premier League, it is thought that Zidane is the Parisians’ ideal candidate to take the reins.
The feeling inside PSG’s dressing room is that the Frenchman – who won three Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles across his two spells at Real Madrid – is poised to step in to succeed Pochettino, as per Marca.
The Independent add that all parties at PSG have been viewing the current arrangement as ‘temporary’, with the Parisians keeping their options open should – as is now expected – Pochettino leave the club.
It had been widely suggested that the United hierarchy were ‘working to persuade’ Zidane to become the club’s new manager, however, it is thought that he was undecided about the opportunity.
Now, it appears that Pochettino could be heading to Old Trafford, with Zidane returning to management in Paris.
Marca add that PSG’s players are already ‘privately discussing’ the possibility of Zidane managing the club, should he replace Pochettino.
He would take over a side that already boast an 11 point lead at the top of Ligue 1, with the French giants also in a strong position to progress from their Champions League group.
PSG have made contact with Zinedine Zidane in case of a potential departure of manager Mauricio Pochettino, sources have told @LaurensJulien. pic.twitter.com/Y9D3gz315B
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 22, 2021
On the other hand, the former Spurs boss is prepared to walk away from PSG because he is unhappy at the club, with his family remaining in London while he has been living in a hotel.
It is also believed that he is struggling to deal with big dressing room egos like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Pochettino was linked with the United job when Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in December 2018, and is still highly thought of at Old Trafford.
United have also been linked to current Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, who is thought to be interested in the role, but would not be available until the summer.
Brendan Rodgers and Ralf Rangnick are among the other contenders, with the search underway for Solskjaer’s permanent replacement.
For now, United have appointed Michael Carrick as their caretaker boss, with the former midfielder set to take charge against Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Related links:
- Man Utd happy to wait for Pochettino instead of appointing him now
- Man United identify Mauricio Pochettino as their number one target to be the club’s next manager
- Harry Maguire states the blindingly obvious about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacking
