Dimitar Berbatov has warned Manchester United not to necessarily go for the obvious choice in regards to appointing their next permanent manager. Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino remains a favourite for the role and is the popular pick among United players to replace Ralf Rangnick in the summer, with Ajax coach Erik ten Hag also under consideration.
Any move for Pochettino could now accelerate after PSG's exit from the Champions League in midweek, with the French club no closer to winning the illustrious prize under the Argentine coach.
However, Betfair Ambassador Berbatov believes pursuing one of the current favourites for the role could be a costly mistake if they do not properly evaluate all possible candidates.
READ MORE: 'Alarm bells are ringing' - Mauricio Pochettino sent Manchester United message after PSG collapse
"Last night watching PSG playing Real Madrid and getting knocked out of the Champions League having led in the score and at half-time. All the players they have, the quality, but still they are not doing what is expected," Berbatov told The Manchester Evening News in an interview with Betfair.
"It is another example of a good manager in charge of a team of full payers and egos, and still things are not going well. Yeah, France is a different league. I've played there. PSG is above everybody, but it didn't work out again. You can judge Pochettino on that, but you never know if he is going to be the right manager for Manchester United. Maybe he will be right, maybe he won't. But they need to broaden their eyesight and calculate who that manager will be.
"If I was there, I woudn't sleep until next season. I'd start interviewing, looking for managers who were going to fit the United philosophy. That is going to be very difficult. I hope they are not stuck with just one name, who is in the media all the time and concentrating on him. Go out there, interview people, and hopefully you'll find the right person. Give them time."
When further pressed on the manager search, Berbatov offered the example of Arsenal as a club that is now seeing success for having a clear strategy.
He added: "Arsenal are playing very good football under Arteta. They have the ideology of how they want to play, 'pass, pass, pass'. They are City in disguise. Since Arteta has been there, it has been 'this is how we are going to play'. They stick to the plan, they find the right players for that club, and it is easier to produce on the pitch. United and Spurs, it isn't working like that."
For more from Betfair Ambassador, Dimitar Berbatov and to get the latest football tips, head to https://betting.betfair.com/football/football-tips/
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