5 Replacements for Jose Mourinho at Manchester United 

Watford FC v Manchester United - Premier League
Mourinho was left embarrassed after losing to Derby County this week

With every passing week, it feels more and more as though Jose Mourinho's days at Manchester United are coming to an end.

The former Chelsea manager suffered his biggest humiliation of the season so far this past Tuesday night, losing on penalties against Championship club, Derby County.

While the United faithful have yet to turn on Mourinho in the same way they did David Moyes or Louis Van Gaal, it is becoming increasingly apparent that his 'park the bus' approach is no longer working in the Premier League. Mourinho is being eclipsed by his rivals, and with Manchester City and Liverpool storming ahead in the Premier League, it won't be much longer before United fans have had enough.

The Manchester-based club have struggled to find the right manager since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2012, and even if Mourinho sees this season out, it seems highly unlikely he will be in the Old Trafford dugout this time next year.

With that in mind, let's take a look at five potential replacements for Jose Mourinho when he inevitably leaves Manchester United.


#5 Laurent Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain Training Session & Press Conference
Blanc has been out of a job since leaving PSG in 2016

Laurent Blanc's name has come up in conversation every time the managerial vacancy has opened up at Old Trafford, and it is really beginning to feel like a matter of when, and not if when it comes to the former French international joining the club.

Blanc has had success as both a player and a manager, winning the World Cup with France in 1998, and then winning three consecutive Ligue 1 titles with PSG between 2013 and 2016.

Blanc also played for United in the early 2000s, retiring from the game in 2003 following his final game for the Red Devils. Could nostalgia drag him back to Manchester? I wouldn't rule it out.

#4 Diego Simeone

Paris Saint Germain v Club Atletico de Madrid - International Champions Cup 2018
Diego Simeone has worked wonders at Athletico Madrid

Diego Simeone's work at Athletico Madrid speaks for itself. The former Argentinian international has managed to make Athletico Madrid into one of the biggest clubs in Spanish football and has won seven trophies during his time at the club, including one La Liga trophy, and two Europa Leagues.

While Simeone is not the most popular former footballer in England, his attacking style of play would no doubt be welcomed by the Old Trafford faithful, and there is every chance that he would finally be able to finally return some glory to the former Premier League champions.

#3 Arsene Wenger

Huddersfield Town v Arsenal - Premier League
Arsene Wenger could be the perfect short-term replacement for Mourinho

Well, this would be interesting, wouldn't it? While most fans would see the appointment of Wenger as a step-backwards for United, there is no denying the years of experience the Frenchman would bring to the table.

Wenger managed to consistently keep Arsenal in the top four of the Premier League, often with a smaller budget than his nearest rivals. He was also able to convince some world-class stars to the club, often to the surprise of the fans and the media.

Wenger has had some amazing clashes with Manchester United over the years, and while he might not work as a long-term appointment, if Mourinho were to walk today, he would certainly be a great replacement until the end of the season.

#2 Mauricio Pochettino

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Could Pochettino be tempted away from Spurs?

Pochettino may be coming under some scrutiny at Tottenham at the moment following a poor run of results and his decision to not sign any players over the summer, but you would be hard-pushed to find a Spurs fan who doesn't think he has worked wonders at the club.

Pochettino has done an outstanding job of establishing Spurs as a top-four side in the Premier League, and there is definitely an argument to be made that he has done all there is to do at the North London club.

Spurs are notoriously difficult negotiators though, and it would no doubt cost United a lot of money to tempt the club to let go of their prized asset.

#1 Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid Press Conference
Zidane would be a dream appointment for Manchester United fans

Surely it is only a matter of time before Zinedine Zidane makes his return to football management.

The World Cup-winning star shocked the world when he left Real Madrid in the summer, having successfully guided the Spanish giants to a third successive Champions League finish, and it didn't take long for his name to start being mentions with regards to the Old Trafford hot-seat.

Zidane worked wonders at Madrid, and while his final season in charge of the club saw Los Blancos struggle to keep up with Barcelona in La Liga, they still managed to retain their Champions League trophy, defeating Liverpool 3-1 in a pulsating final in Kiev.

One of the biggest criticisms levelled against Mourinho in recent months is that his tactics are dated and that he has lost touch with the modern game. Zidane's Madrid side were famous for their exciting, attacking approach to the game and he could be just what the former Premier League champions need right now.

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Edited by Ben Winfield