Manchester United’s hunt for a new permanent manager has begun, with several high-profile candidates in the running to succeed Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season.
United has been without a permanent manager since the November sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Rangnick merely serving as an interim until the end of May.
At the end of the season, the 63-year-old German will be promoted to a two-year consulting role, allowing a new manager to take over at Old Trafford.
According to The Athletic, the search for Rangnick’s replacement is now begun, with a shortlist of applicants established.
As United looks for their fifth permanent manager in the post-Fergie era, efforts are being made to ignite early discussions with the runners and riders.
The Red Devils will then go through a series of further steps in the hopes that a “thorough procedure” will allow them to get the new guy in place in plenty of time before the start of the 2022-23 season.
Since Solskjaer’s departure, several high-profile names have been connected with the role, including former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.
Both men are thought to be options for United.
However, United’s willingness to ‘schedule preliminary negotiations’ about a new CEO may be complicated by the situations in which both individuals currently find themselves.
Both men manage clubs in PSG and Ajax that are competing for titles both at home and in Europe, which might make negotiations difficult.
Last week, it was claimed that several United players want Old Trafford executives to pick up their pursuit of Pochettino, while Ten Hag is one of the continent’s most sought-after young managers.
Brendan Rodgers, the manager of Leicester City, has also been discussed in connection with the job in recent months.
Rodgers is still one of the betting favorites, though his previously lofty status has dipped as the Foxes have struggled in the Premier League.
Leicester is currently closer to the relegation zone than the top four after consecutive fifth-place finishes, as injuries have taken their toll.
United will be hoping that whoever their new manager is will be able to lead the team in the Champions League next season.
However, it is far from certain, with Arsenal, West Ham, Tottenham, and Wolves all vying for the final spot in Europe’s elite league.
With a hard-fought 4-2 win over Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon, Paul Pogba and co. moved four points clear of the Hammers in fifth place.
