Next Manchester United manager: Who will replace Jose Mourinho?

Jose Mourinho was sacked by Manchester United on Tuesday morning after two-and-a-half years at the club

Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Manchester United after two-and-a-half years at the club.

Michael Carrick is set to take over as caretaker boss for the next 48 hours, but it’s believed that a replacement will be brought in for the remainder of this season.

Here are the top ten candidates to replace him:

Mauricio Pochettino recently signed a long-term contract extension at Spurs (EPA)

Mauricio Pochettino

For seasons the Tottenham manager is said to have had his eye on only two jobs in world football – Real Madrid and Manchester United.

With the board at United reluctant to spend, the Spurs boss, who has taken his team to the Champions League knockout stages without any new signings, is believed to be the ideal and preferred candidate for the club.

However, Pochettino was recently tied down to a new five-year contract which attaches him to Tottenham to 2023 and whether the Argentinian, who describes himself as ‘blindly loyal’ would be able to desert his side mid-season remains unlikely.

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Zinedine Zidane is unattached since leaving Real Madrid (AFP/Getty)

Zinedine Zidane

When Mourinho looked on the brink of being sacked earlier in the season Zinedine Zidane was considered the frontrunner to replace the United manager.

Zidane, who left left Real Madrid and the end of last season, after winning three successive Champions League trophies, was thought to be interested in the job but there is reportedly an agreement between himself and Real Madrid’s President Florentino Perez that he won’t take a new managerial role until the end of the season.

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Conte was also unattached (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Antonio Conte

The fiery former Chelsea manager, whose feud with Mourinho was well montaged, is another high-profile candidate who is currently out of work.

Conte was the front-runner to take over at Madrid just a few weeks ago after Julen Lopetegui was sacked but became embroiled in a contract dispute and couldn’t agree terms.

However, the United board are believed to be reluctant to take on another manager in the ilk of Mourinho, when the club is craving stability.

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Allegri is thought to be content at Juventus (Getty)

Massimiliano Allegri

The Juventus boss was Arsenal’s preferred candidate and has expressed a desire to one day manage in the Premier League, although all approaches were rebuffed by the club. Allegri has won four consecutive Serie A titles with the Old Lady, as well as twice finishing as runners-up in the Champions League.

Having recently passed the 50-year-old mark, with Juventus’ unrivalled dominance in Italy providing a lessening challenge, the Italian may be open to an exchange of premier positions.

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Leonardo Jardim was sacked at the start of this season (Getty)

Leonardo Jardim

Former Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim was sacked at the start of this season after a poor run of form. However, prior to his dismissal, the 44-year-old led the club to their first league title in 17 years, breaking PSG’s unflappable rule of Ligue 1.

A high-octane manager who was well loved by his players could prove to be an attractive choice for United, however, he does have a streak of run-ins with club hierarchies stemming from his days at Braga in Portugal.

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Eddie Howe may not be willing to leave high-flying Bournemouth at this stage (Getty)

Eddie Howe

Eddie Howe is the only English candidate thought to be being considered for the permanent position, but there are doubts as to whether Bournemouth’s prodigal boss has the aura to tackle United’s dysfunctional dressing room.

Howe himself may also consider the role too great a risk at this stage, having only turned 41 a fornight ago and with the Cherries currently enjoying their best ever start to a Premier League campaign.

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Ryan Giggs is currently Wales manager (Reuters)

Ryan Giggs

United legend Ryan Giggs was player-coach at United under David Moyes and was also mooted to replace Louis van Gaal after the Dutchman’s dismissal.

Giggs is thought to be an attractive candidate for the club on a short-term basis, filling in until the end of the season in a type of test run but it’s thought to be highly unlikely that the Wales manager would be willing to give up his role.

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Laurent Blanc won three Ligue 1 titles at Paris Saint-Germain (Getty)

Laurent Blanc

Laurent Blanc is currently unattached after leaving PSG in 2016 after winning three successive Ligue 1 titles. Blanc left on mutual terms and is yet to take up another position, said to be holding out for the right opportunity.

The Frenchman had a spell at United in 2001-2003 as a player – the final club of his career – so he already has a familiarity with the team and could bond well with the club’s French contingent, although his appointment is still considered risky by United’s hierarchy having managed just two teams at club level.

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Michael Carrick became a key player for Manchester United (Reuters)

Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick is set to take over as caretaker manager but United are thought to be reluctant to give the position to someone already interlinked with Mourinho’s staff. Although, if Carrick was to take over and form an immediate impression with his side it’s not out of the question that he could alter the club’s position.

Whether he will be given that time or be ousted within 48 hours is still unknown.

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Guus Hiddink is currently working with China’s U21 side (Getty)

Guus Hiddink

Guus Hiddink was habitually brought in by Chelsea to steady the ship after Roman Abramovich’s various sackings and has over three decades of experience in management.

Hiddink is currently working with China’s U21 side so it’s thought that it would be easy to prise the Dutchman if considered a worthy target. However, at 72 years old, he may not be able to provide the youthful verve to overhaul the side.

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