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Gary Neville was keen on seeing Mauricio Pochettino return to EnglandCredit: GettyNeville reckons Poch’s time at Spurs would have benefitted United’s rebuildCredit: AFP
GARY NEVILLE: MAURICIO POCHETTINO
PERHAPS the most vocal of United’s old boys due to his role as a television pundit, Neville threw his weight behind Pochettino from the start.
Neville believed the Paris Saint-Germain boss’ experience at Tottenham put him in great stead to replace Ralf Rangnick.
And with Poch now coaching big-name stars at PSG while closing in on a first career league title, Neville thought the Argentine was the perfect fit.
Neville said last month: “I think he’s better prepared to come and deal with the big players United have got.
“He’s more suited to come in and do what I think he wants to do at a club like United with the scrutiny on him.
“I think Pochettino is best-placed, still, because of what he’s done at Southampton and Tottenham, he knows the Premier League, there’s no shock.”
Keane was also a backer of Paris Saint-Germain boss PochettinoCredit: GettyKeane believes Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone was a top candidate as wellCredit: Reuters
ROY KEANE: MAURICIO POCHETTINO/DIEGO SIMEONE
FORMER captain Keane has lamented the lack of fire in United’s bellies this season.
And he urged the Red Devils to break the bank for Pochettino.
However, Keane also felt Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone had the ‘right character’ to shake things up at Old Trafford.
Keane declared last month: “If United want Pochettino, then go and get him. I know people will say ‘ooh he’s expensive’, but it doesn’t matter, it’s the biggest decision United have to make in donkey’s years.
“Go and get the right man, pay the money, whatever it costs.”
As for Simeone, Keane added in February: “Maybe Simeone, he’s the right kind of character.
“Simeone, go and get him, he’s a big character. He’s done great things. He’s a great character, a big personality.
“He doesn’t mess around with players. Maybe someone like him coming into the club could work.”
Rio Ferdinand want Pochettino… but was also happy to take Ten HagCredit: EPA
RIO FERDINAND: MAURICIO POCHETTINO
AS one of United’s best centre-backs, Ferdinand was eager for fellow ex-defender Pochettino to toughen things up at the back.
However, Ferdinand was also open to Ten Hag’s appointment and will not be disappointed with the Dutchman’s arrival.
On Poch, Ferdinand said last month: “I spent a bit of time with him and he really impressed me as a person.
“I think he would impress the hierarchy and decision makers at Old Trafford if you have him in front of you. He certainly impressed me.”
Regarding Ten Hag, Ferdinand added: “Ten Hag, the way his team plays, if you could replicate that at Man United, now we are talking.
“But a club of the size of Man United with the egos and personalities in that changing room, it’s very different going to Ajax in that dressing room to this dressing room.
“Ajax is a big club but in comparison to United it is very different.”
Paul Scholes urged United to try for Antonio Conte or Thomas TuchelCredit: PAThe Spurs and Chelsea managers were viable targets, Scholes saidCredit: The Times
PAUL SCHOLES: ANTONIO CONTE/THOMAS TUCHEL
CHEEKY Scholes reckoned United would be able to coax either Tottenham boss Conte or Chelsea gaffer Tuchel to Old Trafford this summer.
He pointed to the fact that they were both highly-motivated winners with a knack for turning flailing teams around.
And Scholes reckoned with Conte or Tuchel at the helm, United would not need to spend millions on new recruits.
He explained last month: “I would have gone for Conte or Tuchel now.
“Possibly it looks like he [Tuchel] might be available at the end of the year. Those two are top class elite coaches who I think strike fear into players and win which is the most important thing.
“United with either one of those coaches would be a much better squad.
“Okay, they need additions. But I hate it when people say they need four or five players or need to spend £200million or whatever it is.
“There is a group of players here that I think can be made a lot better by top quality elite coaches.”
Former United staffer Nicky Butt felt Pochettino was the right manCredit: Reuters
NICKY BUTT: MAURICIO POCHETTINO
HAVING worked behind the scenes at United most recently as Head of First-Team Development until last year, Butt had first-hand knowledge of what needed fixing.
And his top choice for the role was Pochettino, who Butt felt was best-placed to bring much-needed ‘stability’ following Ralf Rangnick’s tenure as an interim.
Butt said last month: “United need stability. They can’t keep having interim managers or learners in very powerful positions. They need people who’ve been there, seen it and done it.
“I’d go all-out to get Mauricio Pochettino as manager. He’s proven in the Premier League, he’s young and enthusiastic, his style of play would suit United and his backroom staff seem switched on.
“I met him a couple of times at Spurs’ training ground and had lunch. You’d want to play for him.”
Owen Hargreaves urged United to consider Luis EnriqueCredit: GettyHargreaves believes the time was right for Barcelona Treble winner to return to club footballCredit: AFP
OWEN HARGREAVES: LUIS ENRIQUE
A LEFT-FIELD approach from Hargreaves saw him crown Enrique as the ideal long-term successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Spain boss won numerous trophies at Barcelona, including the 2015 Treble.
And Hargreaves felt the time was right for United to coax Enrique back into club football.
He said in November: “I think one name that’s not on there which I’d like to see is Luis Enrique.
“If you manage a big club like Barcelona and you win the treble there, and then you can go and take a pretty average team to a semi-final.
