After delaying the inevitable during the international break, Manchester United have relieved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from his duties following the embarrassing 4-1 defeat away to Watford.
Given the heavy losses at home to Liverpool and Manchester City, the Old Trafford faithful were expecting the sacking of the 48-year-old Norwegian to happen sooner rather than later.
However, the board and the owners intended on sentimentally providing him with time to save the sinking ship.
Now he has finally been dismissed, Michael Carrick steps in to take charge of the team for the upcoming fixtures as the club begin the search for a manager who will guide the club for the remainder of the season.
When noting the lack of quality managers currently available, the plan for a short-term coach followed by a long-term appointment in the summer seems the perfect decision.
So here is the ideal plan for Manchester United to instantly implement…
Ralf Rangnick – Short-term solution
With Antonio Conte joining Tottenham Hotspur and Zinedine Zidane not interested in managing in the Premier League anytime soon, the number of managerial options out there for the Red Devils are very limited.
The main candidate for the interim position should be Ralf Rangnick. A manager who can bring stability to Old Trafford and steer the football club in the right direction to ensure they finish in the top four.
A short-term solution is as important as who will be the long-term manager.
This is because if United fail to finish in the top four the new coach will find it difficult to keep hold of key players and target big name individuals in the summer.
Rangnick is widely known as a tactically flexible manager, who brought gegenpressing to German football in the late 1990s – a style currently being utilised by the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.
With the side lacking intensity and movement on and off the ball, the former RB Leipzig and Schalke 04 manager would provide this on a regular basis and help the team to go head-to-head with Liverpool and Manchester City.
Over the last five years, United have failed to adapt to modern football and Europe’s best sides. They struggle to dominate possession and limit the opposition’s time on the ball.
At the end of the season, should Rangnick impress the Glazers and the board, he should be seriously considered for a role within the recruitment department.
He has a good eye for talented players and an understanding of individuals that can improve the squad.
Mauricio Pochettino – Long-term manager
Manchester United’s interest in Mauricio Pochettino has continued ever since the Louis Van Gaal era, particularly given the superb job he managed at Spurs.
Currently at Paris Saint-Germain, he is unable to thrive in an environment that consists of a political board and a dressing room filled with too many egos, one of many reasons why the French giants have failed to win the Champions League.
The same problems were also experienced under Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked by PSG in December last year.
He then went on to join Chelsea two months later, guiding them to success in the Champions League within six months.
Pochettino’s style of play consists of aggressive pressing, causing the opposition to make errors in their own half and prevent them from finding space and time on the ball.
His philosophy fits into the way Manchester United want to play, from developing youngsters to playing on the front foot.
On top of that, Sir Alex Ferguson has been a huge admirer of the Argentine and his opinion will be well noted by the board before a decision is made.
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Overall, in order for Pochettino to succeed at Old Trafford, the Glazers and the board have to amend the structure within the football club.
They have experienced a number of managerial changes in recent years and have spent over £700million in transfers since Ferguson’s departure.
But, despite that investment, they have still failed to sustain a challenge for the Premier League or Champions League.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
