Manchester United could appoint a new permanent manager before the end of the season with the club still on the hunt for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s successor, according to reports.
United dismissed Solskjaer back in November amidst a dreadful run of one win in seven matches, with Ralf Rangnick taking temporary charge of the side until the end of the season.
Once a new full-time boss is found, Rangnick will move into a consultancy role at Old Trafford alongside director John Murtough and Richard Arnold, who is set to replace Ed Woodward as executive vice-chairman when he departs next month.
According to Manchester Evening News, United are looking to nail down their next manager well in advance of the summer transfer window’s opening date of July 1.
The club are understood to believe ‘the sooner the better’ with hiring a new coach after witnessing Tottenham’s long-winded attempt to replace Jose Mourinho last year.
PSG’s Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax’s Erik ten Hag remain the frontrunners to take the Old Trafford reins, while Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers is also still under consideration after being sounded out towards the end of Solskjaer’s tenure.
United are determined to avoid a repeat of the delay they suffered when appointing David Moyes back in 2013. Moyes was confirmed as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor on May 9 but the club decided against paying Everton compensation to release him from his contract earlier than its June 30 expiry date.
As a result, the Scot, who was sacked the following April, officially started work at United on July 1 and has since admitted he regrets not arriving sooner.
Pochettino is reportedly still keen on joining the Red Devils and was even prepared to make the move mid-season before Rangnick took temporary charge.
United were contemplating releasing the Argentine from his PSG contract, which runs until 2023, only for the French club to ‘play hardball’ in negotiations.
Ten Hag, meanwhile, has admirers at Old Trafford after ending Ajax’s five-year wait for a Dutch title in 2019 and guiding them to the Champions League semi-finals that season.
United and Ajax also have a positive relationship after doing business successfully for the transfer of Donny van de Beek back in 2020.