Old Trafford chiefs keeping eye on Poch
UNITED still consider Mauricio Pochettino a long-term managerial target, despite handing Jose Mourinho a contract extension last week.
Old Trafford’s hierarchy have longadmired the Tottenham boss, who is seen as an ideal candidate to succeed Mourinho.
And the nature of Spurs’ utterly dominant performance against United at Wembley on Wednesday will only have strengthened the belief within the club that the Argentine is one of the most impressive coaches in world football right now. While there is no desire to hasten Mourinho’s departure – the decision to tie up his future for a further year when only midway through his contract is evidence of that – the fact Pochettino remains of interest points to the club’s longer-term planning.
The appointments of Louis van Gaal and Mourinho had an element of panic about them.
Van Gaal represented a complete sea change in strategy after David Moyes.
Mourinho, meanwhile, was brought in to jolt United back into life following the Dutchman’s reign. Such has been the progress under Mourinho, executive vicechairman Ed Woodward moved quickly to end speculation over his future, with a new deal that takes him to 2020 with the option of a further year.
But it is notable that the extension was just for 12 extra months, when the expectation was that it would be for two years.
That gives United breathing room to consider their options and react, should Pochettino’s situation alter at Spurs.