The Red Devils endured a desperately disappointing campaign in both the Premier League and the Champions League last term but ended the season on a high by winning the FA Cup, which strengthened Ten Hag’s case to keep his job.
Widespread reports prior to United’s shock win over Manchester City indicated Ten Hag would be relieved of his duties regardless of the outcome at Wembley, but the Dutchman remains in limbo while the club’s new-look hierarchy conduct a review of the season.
A host of high-profile managers have been mooted as possible successors to Ten Hag, with the likes of Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi, Zinedine Zidane, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Tuchel and Pochettino all linked in recent weeks.
But that list is gradually decreasing in size and Pochettino is the latest candidate to be dismissed, according to The Times. The report claims the 52-year-old – who left Chelsea by mutual consent last month – is now ‘out of the frame’ for the Old Trafford job.
Pochettino was included on INEOS’ initial shortlist of names as the club began their annual review and held discussions with United bosses at the end of the season.
The ex-Tottenham and PSG boss was also interviewed for the hot seat at the Theatre of Dreams in 2022, when Ten Hag was appointed, and is expected to be overlooked once again.
Kieran McKenna, meanwhile, who previously worked as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assistant at United, effectively ruled himself out of contention by putting pen to paper on a four-year contract extension with Ipswich.
Just weeks after his dismissal at Chelsea, Pochettino returned to Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening to manage a World XI side against England in this year’s Soccer Aid, which raised over £15million for charity.
Keen to make an immediate return to top-level management, Pochettino said he was ‘open’ to speaking to clubs ahead of the forthcoming campaign.
‘I have full energy and I think we [Chelsea] finished really well,’ he told talkSPORT after his World XI team were defeated 6-3 in west London.
‘Now we just wait and see what happens. In football you never know, things can happen – today, nothing but tomorrow can appear and any opportunity, we are open to listen.’
Pressed on whether he would be willing to return to the Premier League, a grinning Pochettino nodded and replied: ‘Open to football, we’re open to football.’
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