MAURICIO POCHETTINO’S Manchester United managerial credentials have been slammed by Paul Merson.
The Arsenal legend says Brendan Rodgers or Graham Potter would do far better.
PSG chief Pochettino and Ajax manager Ajax’s Erik ten Hag are reportedly vying to replace interim United boss Ralf Rangnick in the summer.
But Arsenal icon Merse has ridiculed Poch’s recent CV and believes the Argentine is living off his achievements at Tottenham.
The former England forward wrote in his Sky Sports column: “I don’t understand why Manchester United would be waiting for Mauricio Pochettino. I don’t get it.
“If Pochettino doesn’t win the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, why would they be going in for him?
“You’ve got to remember he failed to win the French league last year, too. That’s virtually impossible to do.
“Everybody keeps saying they need to go out and get Pochettino but I don’t understand why.”
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United’s superstars, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and injury-hit Paul Pogba, have been criticised for failing to gel.
And Poch’s PSG have faced similar flak this season despite dominating Ligue 1 as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe fail to fully convince.
In contrast, Leicester chief Rodgers and Brighton boss Potter have developed clear and cohesive tactics.
And Merson reckons ex-Liverpool manager Rodgers would be the runaway tip for Old Trafford if the Foxes hadn’t faltered in recent weeks,
He is also a fan of the way former Swansea chief Potter has turned Brighton into a stylish top-ten team.
Merson argued: “Football is all about timing.
“If Leicester were second in the Premier League right now and still in the cups, Brendan Rodgers would be the bookmakers’ favourite to be the next manager of Man Utd.
He failed to win the French league last year, too. That’s virtually impossible to do
Paul Merson on Pochettino
“If I was in charge at United, I’d be going for Rodgers or Graham Potter now. People are still caught up on the Pochettino of seven years ago.
“He took Tottenham as far as he could, and then you’ve got someone like Rodgers, who has done a far better job than what Pochettino did.”
Pochettino’s standing soared in 2019 when he guided Spurs to the Champions League final and a fourth-place finish in the Prem.
But his five-year reign ended with the sack in November that year after they slumped to 14th spot.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk