Manchester United great Wayne Rooney has his opinions over who should be his former side’s next permanent manager. The Englishman prefers former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino over Ajax’s Erik ten Hag.
Derby County manager Rooney believes United should approach Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino to take up the role, starting next season. The Argentine is reportedly one of the candidates the Red Devils are considering for their soon-to-be-vacant managerial position; the Argentine, along with ten Hag, is one of the favorites to land the job while Luis Enrique and Julen Lopetegui are also on the shortlist of targets.
Rooney, however, has already chosen his horse for the race. He believes that Premier League-proven Pochettino will be an ideal fit at his former side.
“I think Pochettino has done it in the Premier League, he knows the Premier League,” .
“At Tottenham, he brought a lot of young players through, at Southampton, he brought a lot of young players through as well.
“If I’m choosing between one of the two, that’s who I’d choose, I’d go for Pochettino and give him time. Managers now, they need time to come in and actually put their blueprint on the club and the team. If you gave him time, I think he’d do well. In my opinion, he’s a top manager.”
Rooney told Sky Sports
Manchester United have struggled, once again, to achieve a tangible target this season. A lack of silverware for the fifth year running has the fans concerned – as is the prospect of finishing outside one of the four UEFA Champions League spots. The Red Devils have already switched managers once this campaign; the club brought Ralf Rangnick in on an interim basis after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer midway through the season.
Pochettino’s PSG have had a similarly frustrating season. While they are guaranteed to enjoy domestic success in the form of the Ligue 1 title, they were eliminated from the Champions League knockout stages again, prolonging their drought for the piece of European silverware that continues to elude them despite millions of euros spent in transfer fees and wages.
The Argentine’s stock is low in Paris following his side’s Champions League exit, with rumours claiming that his departure post the season won’t be a sad affair.
