Giggs and Jardim rival Zidane in Man United's top-five next bosses

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  • Three-time Champions League winner: Zinedine Zidane.

    It now appears a matter of time until the beleaguered Jose Mourinho is ousted at Manchester United.

    ‘The Special One’ has lost his sheen at Old Trafford amid ongoing warfare with his players, curious tactics and awful results that have led to the club’s worst top-flight start in 29 years.

    Real Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane is the runaway favourite to replace the 55-year-old, whenever he finally departs. But a myriad of other options should be available to the world’s richest club, by revenue.

    Here, we take a look at the men who could next lead the Red Devils.

    ZINEDINE ZIDANE (UNATTACHED)

    Lucky charm: Zinedine Zidane.

    An air of magic – and mystery – surrounds the candidature of Zidane.

    One of football’s greatest-ever players turned into a head coach of repute during two-and-a-half trophy laden years at Real Madrid. Fuelled by the goals of former United talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, the Frenchman claimed nine major trophies before stepping aside last summer.

    Zidane promises attacking football and a lashing of star quality. But he is not known to speak English, plus 2017/18 was a poor one domestically.

    He’s a gamble, but surely one worth taking.

    MAURICIO POCHETTINO (TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR)

    A switch from North London to the North?

    If United truly desire a return to the long-term planning witnessed during Sir Alex Ferguson’s ground-breaking 26 years in charge, then Pochettino is the answer.

    The ex-Argentina centre-back has cultivated a crop of stars at Tottenham, headlined by England’s Dele Alli and Harry Kane. With meagre resources compared to the direct competition, outstanding results have been achieved.

    Yet, no trophies have been won. Plus, chairman Daniel Levy would demand onerous terms to break a contract that runs until 2023.

    LAURENT BLANC (UNATTACHED)

    Former Red Devil: Laurent Blanc.

    Blanc is not a name to excite United supporters.

    The France centre-back did not endear himself to the club’s faithful during an ignominious end to a stellar playing career at the club, from 2001-03.

    His subsequent move into management saw trophies hoarded at Bordeaux and at Paris Saint-Germain, as well as a run to Euro 2012’s quarter-finals.

    At PSG, he paid the price for repeated failures in the Champions League. He’s also chosen not to work since his lucrative June 2016 dismissal.

    LEONARDO JARDIM (MONACO)

    An outsider? Jardim?

    United are not the only crisis club in Europe’s big leagues.

    Monaco have gone from Ligue 1’s 2016/17 champions and 2017/18 runners-up, to a spot in 2018/19’s relegation zone after just one win from their opening eight matches.

    This signals a decline, albeit one overseen by a managerial genius. Jardim has shown a mastery of a variety of tactics when in the Principality or Sporting Lisbon.

    His guiding hand for young stars includes Kylian Mbappe and United’s own Anthony Martial. An outsider to watch.

    RYAN GIGGS (WALES)

    In the Wales hotseat: Ryan Giggs.

    Giggs’ path from United great to their manager is proving to be a sinuous one.

    The club’s most-decorated player and biggest appearance maker joined David Moyes’ staff at the start of 2013/14, before overseeing the final four games of that term to mixed effect – two wins, a draw and a defeat – when the Scot was sacked.

    He was then overlooked for Jose Mourinho when Louis van Gaal departed ahead of 2016/17. Now in charge of Wales, it would require a nostalgic punt from United’s board to hire him.

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