The next Manchester United manager odds show that INEOS may already have a clear favourite in mind, following the announcement of Erik ten Hag’s sacking today. However, the race may go on for some time, and we’ve highlighted some interesting selections outside the two frontrunners.
Manchester United manager odds latest news
United boss Erik Ten Hag seemingly saved his job following a FA Cup final win over Man City in May. But a club-worst finish of eighth in the Premier League last term has been followed up by a dreadful start to 2024/25, which will see United enter November on 11 points and stuck in the bottom half of the table. A 2-1 loss to West Ham on 27 October ultimately cost the Dutchman his job.
At the moment, Ruud van Nistelrooy is the favourite to take over at a market-best 9/2, with Ruben Amorim not far behind at a high price of 5/1. However, there are a number of options out there that many people feel would offer a smarter choice. These command much longer odds to take over at Old Trafford, but they have their reasons to throw their proverbial hat into the ring.
Which ‘outside picks' could see their odds shorten?
Market-best prices are shown in brackets.
Xavi (10/1)
Xavi may be younger and have less experience compared to some other managers out there, but that doesn’t mean he can’t take on a big role. After winning multiple trophies with Al-Sadd in Qatar, he took the leap to manage his boyhood club, FC Barcelona.
During the 2022/23 season, Xavi guided Barca to triumph in both the La Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup, even though the team encountered some hurdles in the following season. Nevertheless, his innovative style of play is sure to catch the eye of clubs seeking a new vision.
Thomas Frank (10/1)
Unlike the other names on this list, Frank boasts an existing relationship with co-owners INEOS. The Dane therefore has admirers at the club, having previously worked with sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford.
Frank has overseen Brentford’s in three successive seasons in the Premier League, including a ninth-placed finish, which is impressive considering the relatively shoestring budget they have compared to some of the other wealthier clubs. He has helped develop players like Ivan Toney and Yoane Wissa during his time in West London too – players that would give United a much-needed boost up front.
After 11 years without a league title, it is clear that Man Utd need to go in a different direction under new ownership. And Frank could bring some of his strong ideas into the club. Brentford are known to be data-driven when it comes to things such as recruitment, and Frank helped spearhead this, so the Dane could potentially introduce this at Old Trafford.
Graham Potter (16/1)
Given that he is a free agent, the Red Devils would not have to pay any compensation to get Potter out of a job, so from a financial point of view, a move for him would make sense. He has also managed in the Premier League before, and so would need no time to adjust to his surroundings.
Potter generally did a fine job at Brighton which earned him a big move to Chelsea, but it did not quite work out at Stamford Bridge. He was sacked only months into the job, despite Chelsea paying Brighton a large compensation fee to get him and his backroom staff through the door.
However, Potter was arguably a victim of his surroundings with the chaos of Todd Boehly's takeover lurking in the background, and could be a success at United given the chance.
Zinedine Zidane (25/1)
Zidane might seem like an open book with three Champions League titles and two La Liga championships to his name, but he’s still a bit of an enigma outside of Real Madrid. The unique challenges of managing at Real Madrid make it hard to predict how he’d do in a different environment.
One of Zidane's key strengths is his knack for handling star players in a big squad and keeping them motivated. Manchester United’s dressing room has no shortage of players who are frequently described as such – including underachieving Brazilian duo Casemiro and Antony – even if the results don’t always show it.
Mauricio Pochettino (66/1)
After being a 2/1 favourite to take over at Old Trafford – during a week in which United were expected to lose the FA Cup final and see Erik Ten Hag sacked – Pochettino is now on the periphery of the market. Yet, with Thomas Tuchel once being 50/1 for the England job, you can never say never, and Pochettino still has plenty of reasons to consider applying for the Old Trafford hotseat.
Chelsea only lost once in the Premier League between 12 February and the end of the 2023/24 campaign, with that run helping them claim the league’s fourth-highest points tally since the New Year up to the final day – a tally only bettered by the top three of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Pochettino also guided Chelsea to the Carabao Cup final, narrowly losing 1-0 to Liverpool after dominating large parts of the game and missing a plethora of big chances. They also went narrowly down to Man City 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final, and an overall sixth-place finish in the league guaranteed the return of European football.
The Argentine also has a reputation of working well with youth, and with Man Utd set to build the team around youngsters Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund, Pochettino might not yet be entirely out of the frame.
