Why is Pochettino the favourite to replace Carrick at Manchester United?

Résumé détaillé

What would Mauricio Pochettino bring to the job if he replaces Michael Carrick in the Old Trafford hot seat?

If Michael Carrick’s departure as head coach of Manchester United is confirmed, Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly the man tasked with turning the fortunes of the Old Trafford club around.

United lie in the Premier League’s relegation zone, one point off the bottom in 18th, after winning just one of their opening 10 matches, that coming against Ipswich in August.

It’s the club’s worst start to a season in 30 years, and the expectations will be high for whoever takes the role, with their first league game coming away at bitter rivals Liverpool on November 22.

Pochettino – whose release from the contract extension he signed as USA head coach has reportedly been arranged while Carrick officially remains in position – would become the eighth permanent man in charge at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in May 2013 after more than 26 years in the job.

The 54-year-old Argentinian was known during his playing career as a no-nonsense central defender, but as a manager he has evolved into one known for attractive, attacking football, with a focus on developing young talent.

He began playing in 1989 with Newell’s Old Boys before a switch to Spain in 1994, joining La Liga side Espanyol, where he played more than 200 league games across a seven-year career and broke into the Argentina squad, winning 20 caps and starting every game in the 2002 World Cup.

He had spells with Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux in France’s Ligue 1 before ending his career with Espanyol, for whom he passed 300 appearances in all competitions.

His first job in management came in January 2009, when he became Espanyol’s third coach of the season and successfully guided the Barcelona-based club away from the threat of relegation and beat city rivals Barcelona at Camp Nou for the first time in 27 years along the way.

He moved to Tottenham in 2014 and oversaw the most successful run in the club’s recent history, reaching the League Cup final in his first season and finishing in fifth.

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