Our options are limited, who next?

[do.ob]

If we leave aside that it's United for just a second:
Imagine Wenger taking over from a sacked Mourinho and rubbing it in by dropping little ambiguous comments all the time, how glorious would that be?

 

[Igor Drefljak]

As much as I want Mourinho gone, I think getting a DoF in is vital.
I just don't know if Ed knows enough about football to not just hire the biggest name possible (Zidane)
If he doesn't make the decision, whose suggesting ideas to him?

That being said. Zidane is weird one for me. On one hand I think he'd be very good, but on the other I'm really unsure.

I just don't want the next big name available because of who they are.
Eddie Howe wouldn't be the worst appointment. Doing very good things with a Bournemouth side that has little budget.
Santos at Wolves is proving to be a very good manager, although with their money, he's in a good place.

I just want us to put effort into an appointment rather than what sounds good, which I thin requires an actual football brain, not Ed's.
Some of the names thrown about in here. Fonseca, Lyon Manager and a few others, I've no idea about them personally, but if they're up to the job, we need to at least look at them.

 

[Rash Decision]

I actually don't think Wenger is a bad shout as a caretaker manager until the end of the season. He knows the league, we have one of his ex-players in the team, there are two talented young Frenchmen who he may be able to get a tune out of, he always wanted to recruit Smalling for Arsenal, he plays good football, and he was a specialist at getting CL football. We will get trashed by City or Liverpool 5-0 a couple of times and will bow out to Bayern in CL, but otherwise he'll give us good football and finish in the top 4. Plus, the reactions from both Arsenal and our fans would be interesting.

I am Wenger in! Bring out the banners!

(I am joking.....actually only half joking).

Imagine if he leads us to finish above Arsenal

 

[Volumiza]

Sean Dyche, Simeone, Conte, Benitez. What is it with people on here. All are negative managers, playing dreary football, & in Conte's case falling out with the players like Mourinho. Whoever we appoint as next manager, please let them play attacking football like all our rivals.

I said Eddie Howe. At this point in time he would be my number one choice. What a job he’s done and I would love to see if he could make us into a likeable and entertaining club full of happy players again.

I only put Shaun Dyche as a point of discussion as I think there are some great attributes he could bring. I also don’t think the football he plays is 100% negative.

 

[paulscholes18]

A proper longterm appointment would be Julian Nagelsmann (spelt something like that) from Hoffenheim - he's very young at about 31 but looks to be a great coach. And more to the point he would be at united for the long term and actually build a team.

Julian Nagelsmann

Unfortunately he has already agreed to go to RB Leipzig at the end of the season

 

[FootyGirl88]

People will think it's a joke but like others have mentioned (cc @Volumiza ) Howe is a good option. Do people know how bad Bournemouth were before he got there? They were bottom of League 2 on the verge of administration.

What I like about him is that he sticks to his principals. He got them promoted from league 2 to league 1- league 1 to championship - championship to PL playing the same brand of football and they still play the same way in PL regardless. Not only that but he likes developing young player's too, I think if a DOF was brought in he could do very well here.

 

[Volumiza]

Eddie Howe would be a brave move but he does tick so many boxes. A lot will use the ‘he’s never won anything’ line but he’s won multiple promotions and always tried to play progressive football along the way. He would absolutely be my first choice right now if Jose were to go (which I’m not convinced is the right thing by the way).

 

[Igor Drefljak]

I've been pro Howe for a while.
Plays good football, no matter the opposition
Since being in the league, has been very consistent with his points totals
Had a limited budget to work with, yet never really looked like being relegated

Financially, would't be expensive to get, and if it didn't work out, wouldn't cost much to sack I'd say

 

[Long Ball]

Not having a go at you but if profitability isn't hurt why do you club strat would change?

Mostly it's because we've ended up with a man like Woodward in charge of footballing decisions, and the glazers are happy to "do an arsenal" with top 4 being enough, rather than a clear plan, direction and improvement strategy

Now it's clearly of great benefit the margins tht our marketing brings, but we badly need a director of football to separate what happens on the pitch

 

[Ahsan_6386]

People will think it's a joke but like others have mentioned (cc @Volumiza ) Howe is a good option. Do people know how bad Bournemouth were before he got there? They were bottom of League 2 on the verge of administration.

What I like about him is that he sticks to his principals. He got them promoted from league 2 to league 1- league 1 to championship - championship to PL playing the same brand of football and they still play the same way in PL regardless. Not only that but he likes developing young player's too, I think if a DOF was brought in he could do very well here.

Eddie Howe is a good option but we will never get him because he isn't a big enough name . We already burnt our hands trying the young English premier league experienced option with Moyes . I doubt Woodward would be interested in that even if he signed a big name DOF simply for the reason that no big name players would be interested to come and play for Howe just like it happened with Moyes . Woodward will want a proven name who is respected in world football and can attract the big name players .

Zidane is the obvious choice since we wont need to pay a dime to any club as he is free agent and possibly willing to join us too . He has an aura along with a winner's mentality . He is very marketable which is music to Woodward's ear and he will attract the biggest and brightest talents in world football.

About Poch trust me it isnt going to happen since he just signed a new contract and I doubt Woodward will want to deal with Levy and pay a fortune to get him specially after a paying a huge compensation to Jose .

 

[GaryLifo]

Wenger as DOF with Howe as manager?

Normally I'd call anyone saying this a nut job, but the last 5 years has taught me that I know nothing about what is the right thing to do to get United back on track. So why not!

 

[Devil81]

Eddie Howe would be a brave move but he does tick so many boxes. A lot will use the ‘he’s never won anything’ line but he’s won multiple promotions and always tried to play progressive football along the way. He would absolutely be my first choice right now if Jose were to go (which I’m not convinced is the right thing by the way).

Whilst I tend to agree that's the way we should go the fans would give him about as much time as they did Moyes.

 

[The Cat]

Zidane or Conte.

Can't go for Conte now after the Mourinho experience. Would seem like more of the same in the end.

 

[Raees]

Said it in the Simeone thread.. but my outside shout would be someone like Thierry Henry. Or maybe Zizou with him or Cantona as assistant manager.

 

[Heardy]

Said it in the Simeone thread.. but my outside shout would be someone like Thierry Henry. Or maybe Zizou with him or Cantona as assistant manager.

As much as I’d love to see Eric at Old Trafford again, I think that’s only romanticised nostalgia! We need something special and whist Eric has swagger I think our players need a rocket up their arses. I’d rather we got Keane in for that!

Al said and done though, we just need a good coach!

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

Sean Dyce? Jesus christ. People can't be serious. This is Manchester United we are talking about, not Newcastle United.

 

[simplyared]

Just hope it's not going to be Laurent Blanc!
Michael Carrick until we can get Roberto Martinez!

 

[Volumiza]

Said it in the Simeone thread.. but my outside shout would be someone like Thierry Henry. Or maybe Zizou with him or Cantona as assistant manager.

I can’t understand why Cantona, mich as I loved him as a player could offer anything as manager / coach / DOF?

 

[pocco]

Done of the names being mentioned sound interesting, but I very much doubt Woodward knows the first thing about any of them. This is the problem. Who does he have to advise him, who has his finger on the pulse of world football and can advise him?

 

[Rash Decision]

Just hope it's not going to be Laurent Blanc!
Michael Carrick until we can get Roberto Martinez!

Wait why Martinez? He wasn't good enough for Everton and it's not like he won the WC with Belgium?

 

[ZAGREB RED]

No objections to Wenger on the basis that he was Arsenal manager for 20 odd years, just more that his last few seasons there proved he was done and should have retired a few years ago, or left Arsenal at any rate.

 

[Drz]

Zidane’s Real largely played shit-on-a-stick football which relied on a moment of magnificence from one of their talismen. They did not pulverise their opponents with mesmerising football at all. I would have huge reservations about giving him the reigns here. On a man-management and motivation scale, Zidane, by all accounts, is very good. We need more than that, however. Hence why I agree that we approach a manager already under contract who favours a progressive style of football. Our last three managers have all been defensively-orientated, first and foremost. I think all the fans would rather we try the other approach now and take the chips however they may fall. At least we’d have fun watching United again.

Tuchel, Jardim, Wenger, Pochettino (at times), Löw, Martinez, hell, even Bielsa... would all improve us offensively and produce football to get us off our seats again.

Add Julian Nagelsmann to the list.

 

[fergies coat]

Eddie Howe for me with a top quality dof.

 

[Igor Drefljak]

Done of the names being mentioned sound interesting, but I very much doubt Woodward knows the first thing about any of them. This is the problem. Who does he have to advise him, who has his finger on the pulse of world football and can advise him?

Exactly what I said earlier. For him it's all about a big name, beyond that, what knowledge does he actually have.
It seems anybody above the manager is a business man rather than a football man.
We need a DoF to sort this mess out from top to bottom

It's so blatantly obvious we have no football knowledge, but it's feels like a power play from Ed. He wants to be the person in charge

 

[Andersons Dietician]

There was a guy on Talking Reds that every thread he created or post he made was basically about how Roy Keane should be manager, at the time I was dead against it but honestly if he was put in as caretaker manager I don’t think I’d mind it now, anything has to be better than Jose at the moment and It would be hilarious to see how Roy deals with the dabbing generation.

Beyond that Pochettino or someone fresh, new and daring.

 

[Canagel]

Id take Eddie Howe if we get a DOF. Wouldn't be the worst appointment at all. The conditions to succeed here are not that difficult really. All you have to do is be happy, play some attractive football and get the most of the resources you have. So it's not Zidane or bust for me. A big name is not 100% important. Start from scratch again is not a problem.

 

[TheFlagStaysDown]

starting to think Zidane wouldn't be the right choice, at least not now in midseason, We should wit till the end but meanwhile working on some names.. Pochettino might become available or I am sure there is some young german manager or the guy from Monaco. Zidane might be a bit of a panic appointment. He's done great with a world class team full of stars, was a perfect timing for him to come to the team. I am sure he would have respect of palyers and so on but we need someone with strong philosophy, attacking coach now, we need someone who knows how to press, we are lightning years behind in this. Zidane seemed more like a coach who let his best playersd pull the strings for him, it's probably not difficult in terms of tactics if you have some creative players like Modric, Kroos or Isco and Ronaldo and Bale up top, leader like Ramos at the back, it is not easy to manage galacticos but at the same time we are a different team and have just one world class player - pogba. I think it'd be easy to fail here

 

[Tom Van Persie]

The only managers I can see the club considering right now are Zidane and Pochettino. Can't see the club ever taking a chance on somebody like Eddie Howe because they would probably see it as another David Moyes experiment. Putting faith in an unproven manager at the top level and hoping he turns out for the long term. Never going to happen.

 

[pocco]

There was a guy on Talking Reds that every thread he created or post he made was basically about how Roy Keane should be manager, at the time I was dead against it but honestly if he was put in as caretaker manager I don’t think I’d mind it now, anything has to be better than Jose at the moment and It would be hilarious to see how Roy deals with the dabbing generation.

Beyond that Pochettino or someone fresh, new and daring.

Could just imagine some of the fannies like Pogba celebrating when Jose goes, only for Keano to walk in. I'd love to be a fly on the wall. Woodward wouldn't go for it though, he'll protect his cash cows no matter what they do on the pitch.

 

[Raees]

I can’t understand why Cantona, mich as I loved him as a player could offer anything as manager / coach / DOF?

Because when he talks about the game - his vision aligns with what the fans have been asking for and he understands the values of the club. Question is whether he has the coaching credentials to translate that on to the training pitch and games.

Either way I think we do need to take a risk if we want to find someone with a attacking approach as all the established options seem to have been snatched right under our noses.

 

[Kaarel]

Yeah pretty much just 2 realistic options available. Zidane or Pochettino, and we cant get Poch in before the season ends anyway. Would love to see Pochettino here to be fair, he has had a really good career given the limited budgets he has been working with. Players clearly love him and he works with youth and plans long term. And this time we need a manager who plans long term.

 

[TheFlagStaysDown]

Wait why Martinez? He wasn't good enough for Everton and it's not like he won the WC with Belgium?

he did end up above United one season, they were fantastic to watch, second season was a bit meh but proper attacking coach, likeable guy too, knows how to play with Lukaku to his strengths. It's about him being consistent, has he become already? done well with Belgium even though they could have gone further, but bigger teams failed massively so... think defensively Klopp struggled a lot too until they got VVD, We'd get alderweireld and Pereira would have a shot in the team.

Not an ideal choice but who is? sick of the big names. think Martinez should be in the mix

 

[TheFlagStaysDown]

Because when he talks about the game - his vision aligns with what the fans have been asking for and he understands the values of the club. Question is whether he has the coaching credentials to translate that on to the training pitch and games.

Either way I think we do need to take a risk if we want to find someone with a attacking approach as all the established options seem to have been snatched right under our noses.

Cantona is more of an actor than a coach or a manager, would be great to see him but he doesn't have coaching badges has he? WOuld be a mess tactically I think, we need someone organized who can instill philosophy. Shame Rio isn't in to coaching, he seem to understand the game very well, like him speaking too, he could be a natural leader and a great coach I think

 

[Nickosaur]

Jardem gets my vote.

 

[dutchred]

Appoint a dof. Give Carrick and McKenna joint coaching responsibilities and let them build something for the future. I would not mind a few years without a trophy but with playing good football and getting our better youngsters (Angel, Tahit, Mason, Garner etc) to play more.

 

[Rash Decision]

he did end up above United one season, they were fantastic to watch, second season was a bit meh but proper attacking coach, likeable guy too, knows how to play with Lukaku to his strengths. It's about him being consistent, has he become already? done well with Belgium even though they could have gone further, but bigger teams failed massively so... think defensively Klopp struggled a lot too until they got VVD, We'd get alderweireld and Pereira would have a shot in the team.

Not an ideal choice but who is? sick of the big names. think Martinez should be in the mix

Whilst I don't disagree in principle, Martinez has just never struck me as a really good coach. Attacking yes, but a coach can be attacking and still meh. He doesn't seem to make his sides play greater than the sum of their parts imo, which is what we ought to look for in our next coach. He'd probably get absolutely trounced by better attacking coaches like Klopp, Sarri, Pep etc. Would that be good enough for us?

I don't think there's a problem with "big names" either, just like there isn't some mysterious curse that causes "big name" players to fail for us. We just end up choosing the wrong ones, or bring them into situations that they cannot thrive in.

But. Yes, I don't know who would be an ideal choice. Would have said Tuchel but he's been snapped up, and he did manage to lose to Klopp again

 

[Catt]

It might sound a bit ‘left field’, but if we don’t keep Jose, at least Dyche would instil fight into the team. He’d be capable of settling us into a respectable to 8 position, which I’d take right now. However, I still think Jose is the best manager out there, bar none.

He would not have United play attacking football either. People need to stop, not aimed at you, wanting Mourinho out yet name Simeone, Conte etc as replacements.

 

[simplyared]

Wait why Martinez? He wasn't good enough for Everton and it's not like he won the WC with Belgium?

Realize Martinez wouldn't be everybody's 1st choice. However I personally believe he would be a great fit for our club.
He's had previous experience of the PL and enjoyed success with Wigan which got him the Everton job. Ok didn't do too well there, but imv invaluable experience for him. He knows how to deal with players of superstar status as he's shown with the Belgian team. Good knowledge of the game obviously and knows how to put an attacking force on to the pitch. Last but not least he's respected and a hell of a nice fella!

 

[groovyalbert]

Yeah pretty much just 2 realistic options available. Zidane or Pochettino, and we cant get Poch in before the season ends anyway. Would love to see Pochettino here to be fair, he has had a really good career given the limited budgets he has been working with. Players clearly love him and he works with youth and plans long term. And this time we need a manager who plans long term.

Need the board to match this, and I don't think there are the characters or the desires to really commit to this kind of thinking sadly.

 

[dove]

Yeah pretty much just 2 realistic options available. Zidane or Pochettino, and we cant get Poch in before the season ends anyway. Would love to see Pochettino here to be fair, he has had a really good career given the limited budgets he has been working with. Players clearly love him and he works with youth and plans long term. And this time we need a manager who plans long term.

I really don't understand how people think Pochettino is realistic. I mean seriously? He just signed a 5 year extension, got Spurs playing decent football, stadium will eventually be completed (I guess), he should be happy to be part of it. Why would he throw it all away and come to us? I don't think getting him is much more realistic than Klopp or Pep.