Zinedine Zidane is the favourite to become the next permanent Manchester United manager after Jose Mourinho was axed on Tuesday morning.

Mourinho was given his marching orders on Tuesday morning, with the club saying they will appoint a permanent replacement in the summer.

So, who will replace Mourinho? And who do you think will take over?

The candidates for the job this summer

Zinedine Zidane

Few first-time managers can say they won the Champions League during their first season in charge. None can match Zidane's astonishing record of three in three years. Fact he is untried outside of the context of Real Madrid gives some reason for caution, but is the only coach of his profile out of work, which makes him the obvious choice.

Antonio Conte

From one confrontational former Chelsea manager who alienated much of a once-thriving squad to... another. Conte's impact in his first season at Chelsea make him a viable contender if Ed Woodward is looking for a quick fix, but he would buck the time-honoured trend of attempting to correct the flaws of the previous appointment with the next.

Mauricio Pochettino


Stock at a high after leading Tottenham on a very tight budget, but no summer signings and ongoing stadium woe creates a feeling that he may look elsewhere this summer. Appears to have every necessary attribute to succeed at the top, but lack of trophies are a nagging if tedious doubt.

Laurent Blanc

Played for United and taken charge of Bordeaux, France and Paris Saint-Germain as a manager but has not worked since 2016. Nevertheless, seems to have some sort of contractual agreement to appear in any piece speculating about Manchester United’s next manager, so here he is.

Arsene Wenger


Wenger has been waiting for the perfect job to come around since leaving Arsenal in the summer, with Bayern Munich talked about as a next destination. Surely it won't be Old Trafford? But wouldn’t it be fun!

Leonardo Jardim

Led Monaco to their first Ligue 1 title in nearly two decades in 2016-17, playing an attacking style of football with a young and impressive side. Ended badly, sacked a few months into this season.

Mikel Arteta

Almost became Arsenal manager in the summer, before they opted for Unai Emery. Well respected by Pep Guardiola, with whom he has learned a lot. The biggest of first jobs, plus rivalry with City, surely making it unlikely.

Massimiliano Allegri

Heavily linked with Chelsea last summer before the appointment of Maurizio Sarri. The Juventus manager looks capable of presiding over a Ferguson-like spell of dominance in Serie A and has shown little indication he is keen to leave. But when Man Utd come calling… (and potentially throw in a now-vacant suite at the Lowry)

Ryan Giggs

Missed his best chance of the job when United, understandably, chose Louis Van Gaal over him after his caretaker job following David Moyes’s exit. Following the path of his former team-mate Mark Hughes by making his full-time managerial debut in charge of his country. As such, feels like he will have to take the long road back to Old Trafford.

Didier Deschamps

Rumoured to have fallen out with half the France squad before the World Cup, then went and won it. Also has a proven track record of getting a tune out of Paul Pogba, but will surely be minded to stay in his job until at least Euro 2020.

Diego Simeone

Arch pragmatist has had Atletico Madrid punching above their weight for several years in La Liga. Unlikely to reduce number of “Attack, attack, attack!” chants coming from the Stretford End.

Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers' career as a top-level Premier League manager looked over when he left Liverpool in 2015 but he has been sufficiently rejuvenated in Scotland, leading Celtic to two titles in impressive style. Links with Anfield may preclude him from Old Trafford, but has earned another shot at a big club in England.

Lalasticlala
mynd44