Pochettino fits bill for Man United — Neville

LONDON: Gary Neville says Manchester United should target Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager after sacking Jose Mourinho, describing the Spurs boss as the “ideal candidate”.

Nevi l le, who won multiple Premier League titles during his spell at Old Trafford under Alex Ferguson, said the departure of the Portuguese boss was a chance to hit the “reset” button.

United, in sixth place in the league, are 19 points behind leaders Liverpool after a miserable season.

“I said last season that the next manager of Manchester United should be Mauricio Pochettino,” Neville told Sky Sports News.

“When I look at the values of Manchester United, you look at Mauricio Pochettino’s belief in young players at ( previous club) Southampton and with Tottenham.

“You look at his performance levels and the style of play, the way in which he carries himself at all times, publicly and in private.”

Neville added: “Manchester United have tried managers that have won European Cups, they’ve tried managers that have won multiple leagues, they’ve tried managers that have, to be fair, had that solid grounding in the Premier League.

“They need someone who meets the three key principles of that football club: the promotion of youth, entertaining football and to win football matches.”

Another name heavily linked with United is former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, who left the Spanish giants after guiding them to a third successive Champions League triumph earlier this year.

Neville said of the Frenchman: “I don’t think anyone could argue with his pedigree. He’s been worldclass on the pitch and now been world- class in the dugout at Real Madrid.

“He wouldn’t be my choice in the sense I would choose Mauricio Pochettino, but on the other hand, you couldn’t argue with the introduction of Zinedine Zidane because of his record.” — AFP