Four candidates to replace 'PSG bound' Jose Mourinho at Manchester United

Alex Turk wonders who could fill Jose Mourinho’s shoes at Old Trafford if and when he decides to take the PSG job…

“The only thing I can say is that I’m still a coach with worries, with ambitions, and with the desire to do new things. I’m sure I won’t end my career here [at Manchester United]. At the moment in Paris there is something special – magic, quality, youth, it’s fantastic.”

José Mourinho had plenty of interesting things to tell French outlet TF1’s Telefoot programme in a recent interview – flirting with the idea that a stint Paris-Saint Germain could be the next move in his illustrious managerial career.

Don’t get me wrong, it was never expected of the 54-year-old to reign as long Sir Alex Ferguson did, especially considering his longest period as a boss has been just three years – in his first rendezvous with Chelsea and Real Madrid.

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With fans and pundits alike starting to pick up on Mourinho’s negativity in big matches, on top of United’s first loss of the season at Huddersfield Town on Saturday, it could be wise to start looking at the realistic candidates to take over the reins – just in case ‘third season syndrome’ strikes again.

Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti has already rejected Manchester United – Sir Alex Ferguson took him for “expensive wine” when he was PSG manager in an attempt to find his successor upon retirement in 2013 – but the Italian should be much more willing now after losing his job at Bayern Munich in September.

It’s unknown if Ancelotti wants a break from football or not, but his resume – containing three Champions Leagues, an FA Cup and a Premier League – certainly makes his involvement in conversation surrounding the future manager at Old Trafford completely warranted.

Rumours have been circulating about a potential return to the Premier League in the near future, but not up north, instead to former club Chelsea after an unconvincing start to their title defence under Antonio Conte.

Ancelotti was top dog at the Parc des Princes when he turned down the Reds three years ago, and if Mourinho was to arrive in the French capital, a second approach for the ex-AC Milan and Real Madrid manager’s services would seem like the sensible option depending on his availability.

Luis Enrique

Another free agent who’d fully fit the bill at the Theatre of Dreams, is Spaniard Luis Enrique, who left his post as Barcelona manager at the end of last season to take a sabbatical but would potentially be ready to get back into the game after more than a year off.

Recent reports in his homeland suggest that the Manchester United board are growing increasingly frustrated at José Mourinho’s attitude and may look to line him up soon – believe of that what you will – in a move that would actually make a lot of sense.

The former Barcelona forward won a Champions League, two La Ligas and all three Copa del Reys as well as achieving a 76-win percentage throughout his spell as manager from 2014 to this May, and his favoured 4-3-3 system would suit the current United squad down to a tee.

It wouldn’t be surprising to hear that Bayern Munich have held discussions with Enrique ahead of a potential placement in the summer, after Jupp Heynckes’ temporary contract expires, but if he’s still up for grabs it’d be interesting to see his short, yet successful career take him to England.

Diego Simeone

Antoine Griezmann is the Atlético Madrid man who United are supposedly interested in, but ‘Grizou’s’ current manager Diego Simeone would be just as valuable to the Manchester club if a position in the dugout became free.

Simeone’s dynamic style has seen Los Rojiblancos emerge of one of the strongest teams in Europe, and stunned the football world in the 2013-14 season as they beat Real Madrid and Barcelona to La Liga glory as well as reaching the Champions League final, a feat repeated in 2016.

Despite agreeing a new contract at Atlético’s fancy new Wanda Metropolitano stadium until 2020, the Argentinian has talked up a change of scene on a number of occasions, and many thought he’d be the man to succeed David Moyes after his disastrous 2013-14 term as Red Devils boss.

However, was intent on a La Liga stay and has gained a golden reputation over his time in the Spanish top flight. One thing is for sure, his passion and energy on the sideline would give Jürgen Klopp a run for his money as the Premier League’s craziest manager, and I’d love that to become a reality.

Mauricio Pochettino

Named the “best manager in the Premier League” by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson himself, Mauricio Pochettino was my pick to replace Moyes, my pick to replace Louis van Gaal, and is now my pick to replace José Mourinho.

The Argentinian couldn’t be more Premier League proven – leading Southampton to their highest top flight finish, eighth, in his debut season in England and not only turning Tottenham Hotspur into regular title contenders, but transforming the squad into arguably the country’s strongest.

With the exciting project currently in progress at Spurs, it’s understandably unlikely that he will manage Manchester United in the near future, but I certainly don’t think North London will be the final step in his career – and his 4-2-3-1 system is exactly what has been used by the Reds for the past few seasons.

Maybe Mourinho’s quotes have been taken in the completely wrong context and he has no desire to leave M1 any time soon, but it’s good to think ahead, and if worse comes to worse one of these high-profile bosses would fill his boots perfectly.