Manchester United are reportedly weighing up appointing Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti on a short-term deal if they fail with an approach for Mauricio Pochettino.
United's search for a new permanent manager has begun, with Pochettino and Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag the leading names in the frame to succeed Ralf Rangnick in the Old Trafford hot-seat.
Landing Pochettino would appear to be the ideal choice for United chiefs, but prising the Argentine away from Paris Saint-Germain this summer could prove tricky.
United's football director John Murtough is heading up the recruitment process with Pochettino among the names on his shortlist, though he is said to be open to another short-term appointment if their pursuit of the former Tottenham boss fails.
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According to ESPN , Murtough has been leaning on legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for advice, who is a keen advocate of their approach for Pochettino.
However, Ferguson is also said to have thrown Ancelotti's name into the mix to come in on an initial six-month basis if Pochettino snubs an approach.
Ancelotti shares a good relationship with Ferguson, having enjoyed several battles with the Scot during his time in charge of Chelsea, including the Blues' double-winning season of 2009-10.
It was his work at Stamford Bridge which further highlighted Ancelotti's ability at getting the best out of big-name superstars and having an immediate impact in a dressing room - a trait which United could do with to deal with their vastly underperforming squad.
He has a wealth of experience, having also had spells managing in his native Italy with various clubs, France with PSG, Germany with Bayern Munich, in addition to his 18-month tenure at Everton.
Now in a second stint at Madrid, Ancelotti has guided Los Blancos to the top of La Liga but is under pressure to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit against Pochettino's PSG in the Champions League.
Indeed it is Pochettino who has been linked with possibly replacing Ancelotti at the Bernabeu - a job he has previously described as his "dream".
Speculation regarding Madrid's interest has raised the prospect of United missing out on Pochettino even if he decides to leave PSG in the summer.
Ancelotti would boast one of the most-decorated CVs of any available manager on the market should he be ousted from his role, which could force United into a re-think.
His relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo may also be taken into account, given the pair won the Champions League together during Ancelotti's initial period in charge of Madrid.
It does raise the question as to why United would only appoint Ancelotti on a short-term deal, rather than permanently, if they feel he is the right man for the job.
One answer could lie with another target on their shortlist, Luis Enrique, who is remaining as Spain boss until after the Qatar World Cup in December.
Whether Ancelotti would be content with being a gatekeeper for another manager is difficult to conceive, though there would be no stopping him landing the gig long-term if he gets off on the right foot.
Yet if Enrique is part of United's plan, keeping Rangnick in charge for a further six months would surely be an alternative to avoid any further upheaval to a club in desperate need of stability and direction?
Then again, Fergie's word always carries plenty of weight.
