This has seemed to be happening for some time, and even more now, after back-to-back defeats for Manchester United against Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir – Mauricio Pochettino looks to be back in the frame to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. After a string of poor managerial appointments since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, will Pochettino really be any different? Even if he is different than the other materials out there, SHOULD he choose this over any other offer?
Here’s four reasons we think why he should not…
Plethora of Alternative Big Suitors:
Chelsea, Leicester, Manchester City and Liverpool have all won the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson won United their 20th title back in 2012/13 and announced his retirement from the beautiful game, while Arsenal and Tottenham have arguably mounted more credible title challenges. Long time, eh?
The club have finished outside the top four many times in the last 7 years and their quality seems to be getting worse every year, even after doing multi-million-dollar top level signings. On the other hand, the level of football which has been set by runaway front two City and Liverpool in recent years, is hard to not notice and not be jealous about.
Jose Mourinho’s wonderful reputation as a coach took a bashing during his infamous two-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford, ultimately resulting in his unprecedented sacking. Pochettino would like to avoid this well to avoid a similar fate.
Below Par Recruitment Strategy:
Manchester United are still one of the leaders in the market when it comes to wages paid and transfer fees spent. This is a good strategy, what’s not is the strategy which is put out every year regarding confirmation of transfers. Out of favour deadline deals, overpaying has been one of the features of Manchester United’s transfer seasons. Hastily signing Cavani on deadline day as well missing out on a Centre-back and signing Donny Van De Beek, who is mostly seen as a benchwarmer, are one of the main things.
The main man behind this orchestra, a banker named Ed Woodward without any DOF (Director of Football) has been one of the reasons behind these hasty decisions, and this is the same thing that has been going around for the last 7 years.
Un-natural:
This United side isn’t really a high action, high intensity pressing side, which has resulted with the side only getting 9 tackles in the opposing half, which puts them 3rd last out of 20. To put it into perspective, Liverpool have 25 whereas Leeds have 21. This makes Pochettino a manager who would be asking for more, but would settle for less if he ultimately sees no improvement in the squad.
Pochettino, also a coach who puts more emphasis on supreme fitness, intensity and running would be disappointed.
Maybe it’s just the wrong time:
A player who has played most of his life in Newell’s Old Boys, under the spotlight with vociferous fans ripping the stadium apart, it might be tough for him to adjust to the issues that not only United, but the World is going through right now. Without any vocal support from behind the bars, his fast-paced tactics may just wear out over time. We all can hope that Pochettino doesn’t have to go through something like this.
