Having pulled the plug on the notoriously short-term management of Jose Mourinho, Manchester United will be looking for a replacement who can stabilise the club over the years to come.
The club are announced they would appoint a caretaker manager until the end of the current season, as they ‘conduct a thorough recruitment process’ for a full-time boss who will take over next summer.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the man to fill that interim position and as such, William Hill make the Norweigan a 4/6 (1.67) chance to take charge of the first game of the 2019-10 campaign despite Molde confirming they expect their manager to return following the spell at Old Trafford.
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Were the former United striker to be appointed - and it appears that could be the case - he would have the advantage of a six-month audition and it's understandable to see him as the market principle based on that assumption.
However, his dismal spell at Cardiff City doesn't bode well for Solskjaer's top-class managerial credentials and the Old Trafford hierarchy may be tempted to look elsewhere.
Top of any external wish list must be Mauricio Pochettino, who has led Tottenham into the top three in each of the last three seasons - finishing above United in two of those despite a much smaller budget.
The Spurs boss also ticks numerous boxes such as employing an exciting brand of football, developing young players, and working harmoniously with club staff and directors.
Having failed to rule himself out of the running for the job in his first press conference following Mourinho’s dismissal, the Argentine is the rightful second favourite at 4/1 (5.0) with William Hill to lead the Red Devils into the 2019-20 season.
However, United may well have to fight off competition from Real Madrid, who are also reported to be monitoring Pochettino’s situation at Spurs despite appointing Santiago Solari on a three-year contract in November.
In contrast, there are a number of more attainable targets currently without a job, including former Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.
The former France star is a 6/1 (7.0) shot, and would certainly represent a glamorous appointment after winning one La Liga title and three consecutive Champions League trophies in three seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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Laurent Blanc has the advantage over his fellow 1998 World Cup winner in that he played for United, although even at 16/1 (17.00) he looks somewhat short in the betting considering he has been out of work since leaving PSG in 2016 and has never managed outside of France.
Leonardo Jardim 20/1 (21.00) would also be a bold appointment after receiving his P45 from Monaco in October, while Antonio Conte 14/1 (15.00) and Diego Simeone 12/1 (13.00) seem too similar to Mourinho in terms of temperament and defensive playing style.
Considering his credentials compared to the other candidates, United fans will surely be imploring Ed Woodward and Co. to do everything in their power to tempt Pochettino to Manchester.
Mauricio Pochettino at 4/1 (5.0) for a 1pt stake with William Hill
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