Imagine for a moment you are sitting at the head of the table in the Old Trafford boardroom. You’ve just sacked David Moyes. The meeting you are chairing has been convened to decide who you’ll approach to be the next manager of Manchester United.
You need a coach who can deliver the Red Devils back to the top of EPL table, back to the Champions League and, most importantly, restore the Man United aura.
You are looking for someone who is successful, respected by players, embraced by fans, is able to handle a voracious media, who is resilient under pressure and has a proven track record.
Here are your options:
Louis Van Gaal
A frontrunner for the post, the current Dutch national coach also has one of the best coaching CVs in the game.
He has been at the helm of European giants Barcelona, Ajax and Bayern Munich in an illustrious career. All were noted for playing attractive, free-flowing football during his tenure.
Further positives are that he is currently uncommitted to a club, and has signalled his intention to step down from national duties after the World Cup.
On the flip side, he is known as an authoritarian manager with a no-nonsense and strict style. With one of the youngest squads in the league, the 62-year-old’s “old school” style may not gel well with his youthful charges. His intimidating nature has seen him go as far as having journalists ejected from hotels where his teams are staying and explosively criticising club and national team presidents.
He also has no pedigree in English football and there are some in football circles who consider that his approach doesn’t place enough emphasis on fitness and conditioning – a key element of success in the English game.
Carlo Ancelotti
The current Real Madrid manager obviously has the temperament and track record to handle the scrutiny that comes with leading one the world’s highest profile clubs.
It could also be a case of perfect timing for Ancelotti, who Spanish media have reported as having a deteriorating relationship with billionaire Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Also in his favour are that he was previously considered for the post. He has a good personal relationship with the “Godfather” (Sir Alex Ferguson) and has made no secret of his desire to coach in the EPL again after his time at Chelsea.
Unfortunately, his nice guy reputation may work against him, with some doubting he has the necessary ruthless streak to succeed in the EPL long-term.
His detractors also point to his erratic record, with long periods of success at AC Milan counterbalanced by patchy returns from his time as Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
Jose Mourinho
The “Special One” was seriously considered by the powerbrokers at Old Trafford as the man to inherit Ferguson’s throne last summer.
And there are many around the world who believe the story of United’s season would have been entirely different under the controversial Portuguese mentor.
His ambition, single-minded focus on trophies and affinity with both the Premier League and players of all nationalities are massive benefits in his favour. In addition, his global profile and reputation would make the task of luring talent over the next transfer window immeasurably easier, as players clamour for the chance to play under him.
The most obvious roadblock in the way of such an appointment is ego. Could those in charge at United admit that they made a mistake and approach Mourinho? And more importantly, could Mourinho swallow his pride and accept a job he was rejected for a year ago?
Jurgen Klopp
In terms of mentoring young players, 46-year-old Jürgen Klopp, currently leading Borussia Dortmund, is the standout contender.
His skills in building a strong squad with depth, from a pool of talented but unpolished youngsters, is undoubtedly a perfect fit for United’s current situation.
His methods are clearly bearing fruit. Since 2008 he has planted the seeds for success at Dortmund with two Bundesliga titles, a DFB Pokal and a narrow loss in the Champions League final last year.
He inspires feverish dedication from his players and is a proponent of a high pressing and attacking game plan that would suit the EPL.
Working against him is a strong affinity with his current club, as well as a lack of experience outside Germany. In addition, he has been forced to come out in the press to deny his interest in the United post, but interestingly qualified this by saying he had not yet been approached in any capacity.
Sir Alex Ferguson
Although a long shot, a return to the top job at Old Trafford may still yet beckon Ferguson.
The man who came from coaching Aberdeen to mould the Red Devils into a global force needs no introduction – his achievements at the top are unmatched.
His legendary sense of pride may also motivate a return, having seen the side he built over 26 years fall so far from grace in the space of a season. His recommendation of Moyes may also result in an additional motivation to right the ship.
He could work on a short-term basis, either with a set contract or in a mentoring role such as director of coaching. Such an approach would work with a relatively inexperienced protégé, and it would be interesting to see whether Sir Alex would consider tarnishing his legacy in a return to the club in their hour of need.
It would certainly add an interesting chapter to his autobiography.
Over to you Roarers: who do you think will take over at Man United?
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