Sports Next Manchester United manager: Updates on Pochettino, Zidane, Rodgers & others
Rodgers stands by remarks, admits being misleading on status
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he stands behind the comments he made last week about why he didn’t get vaccinated for COVID-19, but acknowledges misleading some people about his status before testing positive. Rodgers spoke Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show" on YouTube and SiriusXM, four days after discussing on the same outlet his reasons for avoiding a vaccine. Rodgers tested positive Wednesday, was unavailable to play in the Packers’ 13-7 loss Sunday at Kansas City and remains quarantined in his Green Bay home. “I shared an opinion that’s polarizing,” Rodgers said. “I get it.
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Manchester United is without a permanent head coach after the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and it's unclear who the club can turn to at this juncture of the season. And it's only November.
That's the predicament in which the Red Devils find themselves as they hope to salvage a season that's taken an early turn for the worse. Failure to advance to the Champions League knockout rounds and finish in the top four of the Premier League would constitute a failure as the club continues to stumble since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The club has given itself until the summer to name a permanent replacement, announcing that it is looking for an interim to take over until the end of the season. Presumably, Man United has an internal list of candidates for next summer. Meanwhile, names like ex-Newcastle boss Steve Bruce and former France national team coach Laurent Blanc, both former United players, are two that have surfaced for the interim role with the former seemingly a more likely option. Blanc is the coach of Al Rayyan in Qatar's Stars League and that season ends in March 2022.
When Zidane and Pochettino fight in duel
Zinedine Zidande and Mauricio Pochettino engage in a distance for a prestigious position. © Provided by Mercato 365 Zinedine Zidane always interests Mu Manchester United Coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has been the subject of many reviews in recent months, with insufficient performance that has sparked the frustration of supporters. The club seems to have highlighted Zinedine Zidane and Mauricio Pochettino as a potential replacement.
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pic.twitter.com/Ipe219GwH6
— Nacho González (@nacho8gonz) November 22, 2021
As for the permanent job, the summer presents a few options, though according to some reports, the timeline could move up in the case of one or two of the bigger names. Here are the latest odds and updates on the most talked-about candidates.
MORE: Ronaldo, De Gea react to Solskjaer's departure
Zinedine Zidane
Even when Solksjaer was still on the job, reports indicated that the managerial free agent and former Real Madrid head coach was not interested. His legendary playing career gives him instant credibility and he has coached Cristiano Ronaldo in the past, getting the most out of a star-studded Madrid side. The feeling is that he could do the same for United.
Zidane, big thunder shot announced!
© Provided by Sports.co.uk It is the same with Manchester United. Without Club Since the end of his adventure at Real Madrid last spring, Zinedine Zidane gets a resource with Aix-en-Provence, where he has launched a Padel center. But the former playmaker could not stay long far away from the land. This is in any case the wish of several clubs. And if Newcastle, who dreamed of attracting the world champion 98, was a reason, it is not the case for Manchester United .
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But even though there are reports that he's working on his English, it seems Zidane has his eyes on other jobs. However, he could be an important domino in the pursuit of a manager who seems more appealing (see below).
Zinedine Zidane 'not interested in Man Utd approach to become new manager' - my piece for @BBCSport https://t.co/j4XvAZlBXa
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) November 22, 2021
Mauricio Pochettino

There's no doubt who the media's favorite is for the permanent Man United job based on the slew of reports in England. The narrative amid the speculation has quickly escalated from "Man United is interested" to "Pochettino wants the job and could move in December."
But he's currently at the helm of one of the most expensive teams assembled in world football, and the PSG job was exactly the kind of opportunity that Pochettino was striving for since guiding Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League final with a lesser budget. With the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi at his disposal, Pochettino has the squad to deliver a first Champions League title to PSG.
Zidane at the PSG "in the short term", the thunder blow
The coaching market could be upset in the coming months. © Provided by Football 365 The Blues, the real ambition The question planned on the capital for years: Can Zinedine Zidane have trained the PSG? Fantasy or reality, the rumor has long circulated before the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, when Thomas Touchent headed for the end of his lease at the same time as the French technician arrived at the end of his adventure at Real Madrid.
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MORE: Neville says Pochettino would leave PSG for Man United
For a club that reportedly turned down over $200 million from Real Madrid for soon-to-be-out-of-contract Mbappe, PSG will not just let Pochettino go. Similar to its resistance to part ways with Mbappe last summer, releasing Pochettino to move to Man United would hurt its standing as one of the rising powers in European football.
But there is one plausible scenario in which Pochettino could depart early: While PSG looks well on its way to winning the French Ligue 1 title — it has an 11-point lead in the Ligue 1 standings after 14 matches — it's the Champions League that matters. A shocking failure to get out of the group stage could see the club make a managerial change during the winter break in December. And Frenchman Zidane would be tailor-made to replace Pochettino.
Brief but vital update to earlier story: Pochettino wants to join #mufc now https://t.co/AxJmTf0p64
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) November 22, 2021
#mufc Poch is open to the United job & they could try to use the French winter break to prize him from PSG. Tuchel was replaced by Poch in last season's winter break & it's viewed as a possible good time for a re-set mid-season. https://t.co/8XMFdkghwm
When Zidane becomes the enemy of Real Madrid for mbled ...
And if Zinedine Zidane became the worst enemy of Real Madrid in the Kylian mbed folder? © Provided by Mercato 365 Zidane as successor? The brutal departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from Manchester United could have consequences well beyond Old Trafford, in a butterfly effect that could even reach Santiago Bernabeu.
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) November 22, 2021
Mauricio Pochettino ready to take Manchester United job before summer
Latest on #MUFC’s managerial search from @MelissaReddy_ https://t.co/bJvaMRskTF
— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) November 22, 2021
Man Utd would be pushing at an open door if they pursue Mauricio Pochettino. But are they capable of being bold enough to do it? https://t.co/DVtHSqmDsL
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) November 22, 2021
BREAKING: Sky Sports News has been told Mauricio Pochettino would be interested in the managerial position at #MUFC
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 22, 2021
Mauricio Pochettino is open to the @ManUtd job. Issues at PSG. https://t.co/HXJcNkkJvu
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) November 22, 2021
No exaggeration to say Pochettino is desperate for the #MUFC job and always has been. Still defies belief they let him slip through their fingers to join #PSG when even back then it was clear Ole was floundering.
— Alex Crook ⚽️???? (@alex_crook) November 22, 2021
But the end of season still seems like the most likely scenario:
There is a thinking in Spain - and on Madrid side - that things might play out so Pochettino leaves PSG at end of season to go to United and Zidane goes therehttps://t.co/vbbXOV7AAH
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) November 21, 2021
Brendan Rodgers

The Leicester City manager could be at the top of next summer's wish list if Pochettino finds success at PSG over the coming months and becomes an unattainable target for Man United.
Pochettino at United Change - Al-Khelaifi Sauer
PSG-Boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi is little pleased about Mauricio Pochettinos desire to take over the coaching post at Manchester United, as 90min learned. © Provided by 90min Pochettino and Al-Khelaifi | Franck Fife / GettyImages Pochettinos Representatives have already contacted United , long before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was released on weekends after the humiliating 1: 4 defeat in Watford.
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Rodgers had strong words denying the Man United links when Solskjaer was still at the helm. You can't blame him: He has a stable position with a thriving club, a strong relationship with ownership, and plenty of resources invested in recent seasons.
After two straight fifth-place finishes in the Premier League, is there a scenario in which things could turn sour in the next six months? It's tough to imagine, although the reports are running wild:
Piece from the King Power on Saturday on why Brendan Rodgers would be foolish to ignore #MUFC advances, given he has taken Leicester as far as he can. @IndyFootball https://t.co/umrlljbrTW
— Peter Hall (@PeteHall86) November 22, 2021
Manchester United 'make contact with Brendan Rodgers after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking' https://t.co/8sywZ8aBKU
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) November 22, 2021
One outlet has already given him the Man United job:
Incoming Man Utd boss Brendan Rodgers urged to axe Cristiano Ronaldo as first job as he ‘doesn’t fit high-tempo style’https://t.co/GgpB6FZhyX
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) November 22, 2021
Erik ten Hag

If the argument is that Man United needs to find a new identity, then the Ajax Amsterdam manager would make a lot of sense. And the speculation says that the Red Devils' board is a fan of his work.
MORE: The inside story of Solskjaer's firing at Man United
In the case that Man United wait it out until the summer, then a Ten Hag appointment takes on a more realistic shape. The 2021-22 season could be seen as the culmination of his work with Ajax, where he has been the manager since 2017. The team is flying high in the UEFA Champions League with four wins in four matches and it's at the top of the Eredivisie table in a tight race with the other Dutch powers.
Champions League: Manchester City vs. PSG Champions League today in Liveticker
in the Champions League Manchester City receives today Paris Saint-Germain to the top game. Here you can the role of the fifth matchday of the group stage follow in the live ticker. © Contributed by SPOX Manchester City (white) and Paris Saint-Germain meet today in successive CL hit. You want Manchester City vs. PSG now live and follow the entire? Then you safe now a subscription to DAZN! CL-cracker in Manchester! Paris Saint-Germain has become the team of star coach Pep Guardiola guest.
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Reports indicate the 51-year-old wouldn't refuse the advances from England. In the meantime he says he's focused on Ajax and this year's quest for trophies since he hasn't heard anything from United.
Erik ten Hag when asked if Man United don’t have to call him: “My focus is on Ajax, the rest only distracts” ???? #MUFC
So we are assured that you remain the Ajax manager? “It’s a weird question. I heard nothing about it [Utd job], so I can't think about it”. @TheEuropeanLad #Ajax pic.twitter.com/LswKR288ss
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 21, 2021
Ralf Rangnick
Another potential manager candidate who has a clear football philosophy that he can impart on a club is the former architect of the Red Bull football empire. After his success overseeing Red Bull's growth across multiple teams around the world, he has maintained a front-office role as the manager for sports and development at Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow.
For a few weeks the speculation has been that Rangnick could take over on an interim basis as coach, which he last did for RB Leipzig in 2019, and then transition into a role as a sporting executive in Manchester United's administration. But with the hiring of John Murtough (football director) and Darren Fletcher (technical director) in March, it's tough to see how Rangnick would fit into that structure.
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"Agent sources and those close to the team feel an experienced man with a big reputation would be ideal to steer #MUFC through a tumultuous time."
"Ralf Rangnick, 63, is a potential candidate."
➡️ https://t.co/UEsUhhfmon pic.twitter.com/MyHpS2C8F9
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) November 22, 2021
Man Utd may appoint Ralf Rangnick as interim boss after John Murtough viewpoint emerges #MUFC https://t.co/Fq99zhijKk
— Express Sport (@DExpress_Sport) November 22, 2021
Other Man United managerial candidates?
It was suggested that Sevilla coach Julien Lopetegui has a contract release clause that could put him in the game, but he called any links to the Man United job "absurd."
Man UTD: Brendan Rodgers rather than pochettino?
© provided by Sports.co.uk According to Danny Murphy, it would be ideal for training Manchester United. After namely name ROGNICK Interim coach until the end of the season, who got the victory (1-0) against Crystal Palace for his first match, Manchester United activates for Find the successor of the German coach from next season.
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Current national team managers like Roberto Martinez (Belgium) and Luis Enrique (Spain) are highly unlikely to leave their posts after leading their respective teams to qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar next November.
MORE: Luis Enrique calls Man United links an April Fool's Day joke
And after not even earning the interim tag — he's the caretaker until there's an interim — it's hard to see Michael Carrick, who served as an assistant to Solskjaer, earning another promotion.
Then again, according to one UK sportsbook with a list of permanent manager candidates (below), Carrick has the third-best odds to land the gig. Zinedine Zidane went from top of the list and ceded that spot to Pochettino, who is gaining momentum with every report. Zidane went from 3.1 odds to 11.0
Manager | Current Club | Odds |
Mauricio Pochettino | PSG | 2.63 |
Brendan Rodgers | Leicester City | 5.0 |
Michael Carrick | Man United (interim) | 6.5 |
Erik ten Hag | Ajax | 8.0 |
Zinedine Zidane | free agent | 11.0 |
Laurent Blanc | Al Rayyan | 13 |
Ralf Rangnick | Lokomotiv Moscow | 13 |
Steve Bruce | free agent | 17 |
Man UTD: Brendan Rodgers rather than pochettino? .
© provided by Sports.co.uk According to Danny Murphy, it would be ideal for training Manchester United. After namely name ROGNICK Interim coach until the end of the season, who got the victory (1-0) against Crystal Palace for his first match, Manchester United activates for Find the successor of the German coach from next season.