Mauricio Pochettino interested in Manchester United job with INEOS demand explained

Mauricio Pochettino is interested in the Manchester United job, but he must adhere to a demand from INEOS at Old Trafford.

Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester United have been dancing for more than half a decade. Years ago, when Jose Mourinho was still at Old Trafford, the former Argentina footballer was linked with the job.

There have been flirtations in the media between the ex-Tottenham boss and United ever since, and with Erik ten Hag‘s job currently on the line and Pochettino having left Chelsea, the talk is hotting up once again.

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Ten Hag and his squad have an FA Cup final to prepare for, and some, including former United footballer Rio Ferdinand, feel that the Dutch manager may be fired from United by INEOS after the game.

“The more and more I think about it, win or lose, I don’t think Ten Hag will be there come next season,” Ferdinand stated earlier this week.

“I’m not saying that’s what I want; I’m just saying what I believe is going to happen, and I believe that the club are going to look elsewhere, I think. I don’t think [winning the FA Cup] changes anything in the eyes of INEOS. I’ve not spoken to anyone there, this is just an assumption, this is what I think.”

According to The Times, Pochettinho is “interested in talking to Manchester United” should INEOS choose to fire Ten Hag this summer, with this report coming out just 24 hours after it was revealed he will leave Chelsea.

Although it has been stressed that Ten Hag’s future has not been decided and it will not solely be based on the result of the upcoming FA Cup final, Pochettino may have a problem should he join Old Trafford.

The Times report explains that a key reason he left Chelsea was that the club refused to give him a greater say in transfers. When no agreement was reached, it was decided that it would be better for him to leave the London side.

This would be a big talking point should Pochettino step into Ten Hag’s role. It has been widely reported that INEOS want more of a “head coach” than an overall manager, with the new boss responsible for on-field performances and not too involved in recruitment.

Should Pochettino join, he must heed this demand. Otherwise, he would not succeed at Old Trafford.