Manchester United are reportedly considering Carlo Ancelotti as a short-term option to take over at Old Trafford.
United are searching for someone to take over from Ralf Rangnick, who is currently in interim charge at the club.
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Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are thought to be the top candidates to take permanent charge, but ESPN claim Ancelotti has now emerged as a candidate as United ‘explore contingency plans’.
The club are considering a move for the former Chelsea and Everton manager after United CEO Richard Arnold sought the advice of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The report claims that while Ferguson is an admirer of Pochettino, the former United boss has urged the club to look into the possibility of Ancelotti moving to Old Trafford on a short-term contract.
United would prefer a long-term manager to take over but there are complications with their top targets.
Pochettino has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, while Ten Hag is said to have concerns about the set-up at United.
Currently in charge at Real Madrid, Ancelotti has a close personal relationship with Ferguson, and the report states that he’s ‘seen as the type of coach who could be successful during a short stint because of his extensive experience in the Premier League and Champions League while also having a track record of managing squads full of high-profile players’.
Real Madrid have a six-point lead at the top of LaLiga under Ancelotti, but the 62-year-old has faced criticism following his team’s performance against Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
United’s football director John Murtough revealed this week the club is undertaking a “thorough process” to pick their new permanent manager.
“We know that consistency is key as we strive for a top-four finish this season,” Murtough said.
“I want to reiterate however that this is not the ultimate objective for Manchester United, and everyone at the club is focused on challenging for the top trophies.
“We are now conducting a thorough process for the appointment of a new permanent manager who will take charge this summer, with the objective to get us back to challenging for those domestic and European titles.”