MAURICIO POCHETTINO is currently the favourite to become the next Manchester City boss once Pep Guardiola departs.
Rumours have been rife that the Spaniard, 49, will move on if the Citizens lose their appeal against a two-season Champions League ban – something he is quick to deny.
Pochettino is rated at 5/2 to be Guardiola’s successorCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But Guardiola’s contract expires in just over 12 months’ time with talks set to take place over a possible extension.
Should the job become available, Ladbrokes have Pochettino down as 5/2 favourite for the Etihad hotseat.
Just behind is Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers and Wolves’ Nuno Espirito Santo, at 5/1 and 8/1 respectively.
One interesting potential contender is Mikel Arteta, who spent three years in Manchester as Guardiola’s assistant and is back at 14/1 as things stand.
The current City boss has vowed to stay on amid the Uefa ban but has not guaranteed a contract extension.
He said last month: “I want to stay one more year and after that it depends. It also depends on the results.
NEXT MAN CITY MANAGER ODDS
5/2 Mauricio Pochettino
5/1 Brendan Rodgers
8/1 Nuno Espirito Santo
10/1 Julian Nagelsmann
12/1 Patrick Vieira
12/1 Massimiliano Allegri
14/1 Mikel Arteta
(Source: Ladbrokes)
“I said a month ago that, in the future, we’ll have been five seasons together. I don’t exclude it at all if the club is happy with me and our group to extend the contract.”
Pochettino, 48, left Tottenham in November after being sacked for Jose Mourinho.
Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester United have since been linked with an approach for the former defender.
A return to the Premier League appears to be top of his agenda, however.
Poch told the In The Pink podcast in February: “To be honest, I would love to work in the Premier League.
“It’s going to be difficult, I know, and for now it’s a moment to wait and we’ll see what happens.
“It’s a moment of recovery, to think about yourself a little bit, and to be ready because in football always something can happen and you need to be ready.
“I’m ready and waiting for a new challenge. I have the belief and confidence that the next challenge will be fantastic.”
Jamie O’Hara says that Mauricio Pochettino could make a quick return management with Tottenham
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
