Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui has ruled himself out of the running for the Manchester United job as Old Trafford chiefs continue their interview process for the club’s next manager.
Lopetegui has been under consideration at United as the possible long-term replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who left the club last November with Ralf Rangnick filling the position until the end of the current campaign. However, Lopetegui – whose Sevilla side defeated the Red Devils in the Europa League semi-finals in 2020 – has committed his future beyond this season to the Andalusian side.
Spain boss Luis Enrique is another outsider who has emerged as a major contender to be appointed at United, where his work is said to be highly appreciated but whose commitment to coaching Spain at this year’s World Cup makes any approach fraught with complication. Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is said to be a leading candidate for the role. Ten Hag, 52, met with United bosses last week to talk about becoming their new manager.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino is also in the frame. Pochettino had initially been the favourite for the United job, as revealed last month, with the Old Trafford hierarchy confident of landing their man. That revelation was later fleshed out by Mirror Football reporting that the Argentine was the preferred candidate among the players in United’s dressing room.
Pochettino has now met with United officials, as first reported in France by Foot Mercato, following on from the club’s talks with Ten Hag. The Premier League club are not going to rush into a decision to appoint their new boss but remain optimistic that a decision will be reached before the end of the current campaign.
United had drawn up a shortlist for the managerial position which included Luis Enrique, Pochettino, Ten Hag and Lopetegui. However, the Sevilla boss has ruled himself out of the switch by telling Spanish TV show El Chiringuito that he has “no doubt” that he will remain in charge of the Andalusian club for next season.
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Ten Hag and Pochettino now appear to be the two clear frontrunners for the post, and have now both held talks with the club. Ajax had given permission for Ten Hag to talk to the Premier League side while Pochettino is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain by the end of this campaign.
Former Barcelona midfielder Luis Enrique has guided La Roja to this year’s World Cup finals in Qatar, having coached them to the Euro 2020 semi-finals and last year’s Nations League final. His coaching career has previously encompassed spells at Celta Vigo, Roma and Barcelona – where he memorably won the treble, including the club’s last Champions League title, in 2015.
He has a track record for making tough decisions on players and building a team in his own defined style – attributes that make him highly thought of in the Old Trafford corridors. However, the club appreciate that luring him away from his current post just months ahead of the World Cup makes him the least plausible of the current leading three candidates.
