It’s safe to say that Ole Gunnar Solskajer is walking on thin ice after Manchester United’s 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Norwegian is now, unsurprisingly, the bookmakers’ favourite to be the next Premier League manager to lose their job. But who could replace him?
Ole's reaction to #MUNLIV.#MUFC— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 24, 2021
Ole's reaction to #MUNLIV.#MUFC
Here are five realistic candidates.
At things stand, it feels like Antonio Conte is the best man for the job. The Italian is a serial winner and has already proved time and again that he can win silverware wherever he goes.
Having guided Chelsea to Premier League glory in 2017 after clinching three straight Serie A titles with Juventus, the Inter Milan scudetto winner is viewed by many as Solskjaer’s potential successor.
Although Brendan Rodgers is undergoing a project at Leicester City, there is no denying that taking the Man Utd job would be a big step up for the 48-year-old.
Rodgers led Celtic to unprecedented success before winning the FA Cup with the Foxes last season. Having already managed Liverpool, he knows what it takes to occupy one of the biggest jobs in English football.
One thing is certain – Zinedine Zidane has an impressive CV. The Frenchman won three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid, along with two La Liga crowns.
Zidane spent two and a half years as Los Blancos boss before returning for a second stint between 2019 and 2021. Having left his post back in May, he is free and ready to manage once again.
Erik ten Hag is a name that keeps popping up whenever a big job in European football becomes available. Currently at Ajax, the 51-year-old has made quite a name for himself over the past few years.
The Dutchman took Ajax all the way to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019 and also has two Eredivisie titles to his name. Interestingly, he is also currently being linked with the vacant Newcastle United job.
In recent times, Graham Potter has established himself as one of the top up-and-coming managers in the game. After learning his trade in Sweden, the 46-year-old is now in charge of Brighton.
Potter continues to get the best out of a limited Seagulls squad and is destined to get the chance to manage a bigger club in the future. But is he ready to manage Man Utd right now?