Enchanted by Devils

Pochettina eyes move to Old Trafford despite interest from the Emirates

MAURICIO POCHETTINO is reportedly keen to become the next Manchester United manager with pressure continuing to build on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. It was reported this week that Solskjaer was facing the sack if he couldn’t pick up results against Tottenham (overnight) and Manchester City on Sunday (1.30am Malaysian time).

And despite rubbishing the claims, it is no secret that times are hard at United right now.

Pochettino has been out of a job for barely two weeks since being sacked by Tottenham.

But he continues to be linked with new roles – the vacancy at Bayern Munich a post he has been most prevalently tipped to get.

However, the Manchester Evening News claim that Pochettino is “enchanted” on taking over at Old Trafford.

The Argentine was tipped for the role when Jose Mourinho was sacked 12 months ago and Solskjaer was given the job.

Competition for Pochettino is expected to be intense, with Bayern Munich also linked with a move for the Argentinian. Hansi Flick is in caretaker charge of Bayern, fourth in the Bundesliga, and Pochettino has previously expressed interest in coaching Real Madrid and spent two years as a player with Paris SaintGermain.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is understood to have placed barriers to prevent Pochettino from managing a rival club again this season as part of his severance package.

Pochettino is already under consideration to succeed Unai Emery as the next Arsenal manager and believed to be open to taking over at the Emirates Stadium, despite his Tottenham ties.

Meanwhile, replying to claims from the Sun that his job was on the line, Solskjaer slammed the report as “blatant lies”.

Pochettino confirmed on Monday he is open to offers.

“I am open to listen to the projects that are presented to me. My intention is to redirect in Europe.

“At my age one does not need much time to recover. There are a lot of clubs and attractive projects for me to take on.”

United have still not appointed a director of football almost a year on from outlining their intention to do so and Pochettino has not worked with one since Paul Mitchell tendered his resignation at Tottenham in 2016.

Paul Mitchell is the technical director at Red Bull Leipzig and believed to have held conversations with United executive vicechairman Ed Woodward about moving to United, but was not enthused by the job spec.

Pochettino established Tottenham as top four regulars during his five-and-a-half years in North London. Tottenham finished, third, second, third and fourth to qualify for the Champions League four years running and reached their first ever European Cup final last season. – Daily Star/Agencies