Pundit discusses whether Mauricio Pochettino should become Man United manager
The Liverpool FC legend believes Mauricio Pochettino should give Manchester United some consideration if a job offer materialises
Phil Thompson believes Mauricio Pochettino should give the opportunity to become Manchester United manager serious consideration.
The Spurs manager has been touted as a potential permanent replacement for Jose Mourinho after Manchester United parted company with the Portuguese head coach following a 3-1 loss at Liverpool FC last month.
Pochettino has led Tottenham to three successive top-four finishes in the Premier League, challenging Leicester City and Chelsea FC for the title in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
The Lilywhites have reached the Champions League knockout stage last term before losing to Juventus in the round of 16.
Manchester United appointed their former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their interim manager for the remainder of the Premier League season.
The ex-Norwegian forward has led Manchester United to five successive victories in the Premier League and the FA Cup to maintain a 100 per cent record.
The Red Devils have kick-started their top-flight campaign and have moved to within six points of fourth-placed Chelsea FC in the race to secure a Champions League spot.
Former Liverpool FC defender Thompson outlined why Pochettino should give the Manchester United role some consideration should the Red Devils express an interest.
“I would probably be doing exactly what he is doing at the moment,” Thompson told Sky Sports.
“A club like Manchester United doesn’t come round too often in a manager’s career and I really think it will be difficult to turn down that club.
“Pochettino has handled it very well at the moment. We talk about box-ticking, this guy does it all. He’s respectful to the club and its standing in world football, to the fans and knowing what they want as well as the club and sponsors, all major parts of a team.
“I think that was a lot of things that Mourinho failed to tick so see why Poch’s style and quality, alongside giving young players a chance would fit in at Manchester United.
“If he does get that offer, and a different manager comes in, his chance might have gone. Timing is everything in football and the time is right for him to go. No disrespect to Spurs as they are a quality club, but it is financially hard for them to compete in transfer fees and salaries.
“He would not have that problem at Old Trafford, so he could test himself against the best managers in the world. He cannot do that at Spurs and it has been proven that he cannot. I am full of admiration at how he has done what he has at Spurs on far less of a budget.”
Thompson added: “He would be leaving a better team than what he is going to, but it is about having a vision which matches the club to a particular manager, and allowing them the projects they desire. It is like at Spurs where he made the statement regarding how the transfer policy has not changed in the last five years and the ‘that’ll do’, but it will not do.”
Manchester United are 10 points behind Tottenham in the Premier League table to highlight Spurs’ improvement under Pochettino since his appointment in 2014.
