According to reports, Manchester United are still planning to bring Pep Guardiola to the Theater of Dreams. With pressure on Louis Van Gaal increasing, United are reluctant to let go of the Spaniard as one of their primary targets to replace the Dutch coach.
The world already knows that at the end of this season, Guardiola is leaving Bayern Munich and the German giants have already announced Carlo Ancelotti as his replacement. The 35-year-old has also announced his desire to come to England, and Manchester City are being strongly linked with the most sought-after coach in world football at the moment.
However, certain reports claim that Woodward is keen on beating their city rivals to the signing of Guardiola.
The former Barcelona manager is well acquainted with the City chiefs, Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain. The relationship goes back to the days when Pep was a player at Barcelona and it is believed that they might manage to lure him to the Etihad.
United have, however, kept their faith in the Dutchman and continue to do so. Van Gaal still has more than a year to go on his contract, although, supposedly his position will be judged on a match-by-match basis. Some reports also suggest that Louis is now determined to turn things around in return of the faith that the Old Trafford faithful and the United staff has shown in him.
On the other hand, Jose Mourinho apparently wrote a letter of considerable length to United asking for the managers position at the club. The Portuguese remains without a job right now and has not been linked to any other club apart from United.
Mark Schwarzer believes Mourinho can bring immediate success to clubs
Mark Schwarzer, former Chelsea goalkeeper has tipped Mourinho to succeed Van Gaal at United. The ex-keeper for the Blues has played under Mourinho at Chelsea and he thinks that the Portuguese has the experience needed in the Premier League to lead United to glory.
"He is a world-class manager.
"His experience, his knowledge of the game and his understanding of the Premier League, which Van Gaal has only had for the last 18 months, would be invaluable to United.
"Mourinho has proven time and time again wherever he has been that he has brought almost immediate success to clubs. His record speaks for itself," Schwarzer said.
He also said that not only United but many other big clubs are after Mourinho and if United do not act quickly then some other club will beat them to the signing of Mourinho.
"If it is not Manchester United before the end of the season, or at the end of the season, there will be another world class team knocking on his door trying to get his signature,” said the ex-Chelsea keeper who now plays for Leicester City.
