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Manchester United are one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the world, with several domestic and continental honours to their name. The club reached its peak under Sir Alex Ferguson, who was at the helm for 26 years. He guided the club to an unprecedented 13 Premier League titles.
However, since his retirement in 2013, things have not always gone to plan at Old Trafford. Ferguson has left a huge legacy behind as Manchester United manager, one of the most coveted jobs in world football.
Ferguson chose his successor - fellow Scot David Moyes - who was Everton manager at the time. However, under Moyes, Manchester United failed to defend their Premier League title and also missed out on European qualification for the first time since 1995-96. That led to Moyes' dismissal.
Ryan Giggs was named caretaker manager, and then acted as assistant to Louis van Gaal between 2014 and 16. However, the Dutchman endured a sack following a poor run of results in 2016.
Manchester United saw a glimpse of their past glory under Jose Mourinho, who won the Europa League in his first season in charge in 2016-17. That helped bring The Red Devils back to Europe's premier competition - the UEFA Champions League.
However, Mourinho was sacked in 2018, with former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer taking charge as caretaker manager. His 14 wins in his first 19 games in charge helped Solskjaer secure a three-year deal. However, he was relieved of his duties a few weeks ago after a nearly four-year-long trophyless run.
Manchester United have since appointed Ralf Rangnick as their interim manager until the end of the season. He will take up a consultancy role for a further two years. The German is known for having mentored fellow Premier League managers Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool) and Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea). The former has especially heaped praise on Rangnick.
Ralf Rangnick is gearing up to take on a tough challenge in one of the toughest and most lucrative jobs, as Manchester United manager. On that note, let's take a look at five managers who have rejected the opportunity to manage The Red Devils in the past.
#5 Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp is one of the most passionate and outspoken managers in football. The German rose to prominence with Borussia Dortmund, winning successive Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012. Klopp was successful in knocking Bayern Munich off top spot in German football. He also guided the Black and Yellow to the UEFA Champions League final in 2013.
Klopp's fiery approach and ability to rally his troops to grind out results seemed like a match made in heaven with Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson even approached the German to be his successor in 2013, but to no avail.
Speaking to Sky Sports in 2016, Klopp revealed he had spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson, but he was unaware of a formal offer from Manchester United. The German explained that his loyalty to Dortmund, their players and the plans for the following season meant United's offer to him was ill-timed. Klopp said:
"We spoke. We spoke not a lot but, for me, it was a lot. It was a big honour, the whole talk, to be honest. But I could not leave Dortmund. You are in April, and you are in the middle of the planning for next season. You have this player and this player who are coming, but then you are not there anymore? That doesn't work. Not in my life."
He added:
"I didn't hear about a real offer (from United) but, if there was, I could not have done it. I first had to finish the job with Dortmund, and then think about other things. "
Klopp has since become Liverpool manager, and has helped the Reds win the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. United and their fans can only wonder what might have been.
#4 Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti is another manager who was on the shortlist to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager in 2013.
The Italian established himself as a serial winner across Europe. He won league titles, cups and four Champions League trophies during his spells at AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. The Italian is arguably the manager with the most widespread success in Europe's top competition.
Ancelotti is known for setting his teams up in a rigorous 4-4-2 formation, allowing talented and highly skilled players to seamlessly co-exist. He was initially doubted by many for his defensive tactics and tactical ineptitude. But he proved his doubters wrong with a classic diamond in his midfield four. His reputation meant Ancelotti was a candidate for the Manchester United job.
Speaking to The Independent in 2020, Ancelotti revealed why he turned down Sir Alex and Manchester United. He explained that there was already a project at hand at Real Madrid, referring to their quest for their tenth Champions League triumph, dubbed as La Decima. Ancelotti said:
"You want to know from me? I can say that I still keep a fantastic relationship with Sir Alex, and we met when he decided to stop. But I was close to Real Madrid, and we had a job, and so I appreciate the fact that at the time he talked to me. And that's it, no other opportunity."
Ancelotti did, in fact, go on to win 'La Decima' with Real Madrid that season. He is currently back in his second stint at Madrid after a short spell at Everton.
#3 Roberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini, to many, would seem a surprise candidate on this list, considering his exploits in the blue half of Manchester. The Italian won Manchester City their first-ever Premier League title in 2011-12, edging Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United to the crown only on goal difference.
Many will remember the title victory as the beginning of a shift in balance between the two Manchester clubs.
Roberto Mancini currently manages the Italian national team. He was instrumental in guiding the team to a win at the UEFA Euro 2020 championship.
He was approached to manage Manchester United following Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's dismissal. However, the Italy manager remains committed to his national side. Mancini reiterated that his focus remains on next year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
#2 Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. That includes winning the FIFA World Cup, European Championship and the Champions League, among others. He was also awarded the Ballon d'Or in 1998.
Having ended his playing career with Madrid, Zidane completed his coaching license and qualification at Real Madrid's B team, Castilla. He was made manager of the first team in 2016, following a brief spell as assistant to Carlo Ancelotti.
Zizou won three successive UEFA Champions League titles. He was instrumental in snatching the La Liga title away from Barcelona's clutches in 2019-20. The Frenchman has an astounding 100% win record in finals.
Zidane is currently without a job, having vacated his position as Real Madrid's manager at the end of last season.
He was approached to take over as Manchester United manager starting in the summer of 2022, but he has declined the offer. Reports suggest that Zidane would prefer to manage Paris Saint-Germain or the French national team, should those roles become available in the future.
#1 Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger is one of the greatest managers to have plied his trade in the Premier League.
The Frenchman was known for his eye for young talent and ability to help talented players evolve into superstars. Wenger holds the incredible record of going an entire Premie League campaign unbeaten. With Arsenal in 2003-04, he won 26 and drew 12 games.
Wenger currently works as FIFA's head of global development following a vastly successful managerial career spanning nearly four decades. His teams were known for their free-flowing football and goalscoring exploits.
At the end of his tenure with Arsenal, Wenger revealed that the France and PSG jobs weren't the only ones he rejected. The Frenchman mentioned that he was approached by Manchester United to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson. But he did not mention when that happened when asked. He said:
"I don't tell you that (the timeline of the offer), but I can tell you Man United offered me the job. Ah, we had some good battles. He (Sir Alex) is an intelligent man. You don't have a career like this guy if you're stupid."
Arsene Wenger was reportedly offered the job in 2001, which was the year Sir Alex Ferguson had initially planned to step down from his role. However, fans will be pleased things turned out the way they did. Ferguson and Wenger gave United and Arsenal fans some of their best glory days, and collectively, the fiercest rivalry in Premier League history.
