Manchester United: Five Managerial Candidates to succeed van Gaal
![MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Manager Louis van Gaal of Manchester United walks off after the Emirates FA Cup Sixth Round match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on March 13, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Manager Louis van Gaal of Manchester United walks off after the Emirates FA Cup Sixth Round match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on March 13, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/00102d4e54b937fa0da702c12e5da38fc29aa1118bef0c4a13826e35dd832146.jpg)
4. Mauricio Pochettino
Ongoing speculation suggests that Tottenham’s current manager could make the switch to Old Trafford after this season, though more recent reports indicate that the Spurs are keen to hold on to their leader. Several outlets have reported that Pochettino could receive a significant pay bump on his current contract.
If the Argentine manager were to make his way to Manchester United, however, supporters would have reason to believe in positive change. In each of his managerial stints – first with Espanyol, then Southampton and now Tottenham in the Premier League, Pochettino has elevated his side to a higher finishing position in the table within the first two seasons.
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Currently at Spurs, he has guided his squad to second in the League table, two points off leaders Leicester. Under his tutelage, we’ve seen multiple stars emerge at White Hart Lane, including Dele Alli, Eric Dier, and Harry Kane.
Pochettino inherited a poor team from Tim Sherwood after the latter was sacked prior to the 2014/15 season. But in spite of the joke of Tottenham routinely “Spursing it” and falling off towards the end of the season, the current manager has his side and supporters believing anything is possible.
Despite a win percentage of under 50% in England’s top league, I believe Pochettino should be the next Manchester United manager. His past experience with getting the best out of youth players and spending wisely has seen him become one of the most coveted managerial targets in Europe, and his hiring by Ed Woodward would certainly shift the winds in the Red Devils’ favor.
Next: Third most likely replacement