Spain boss Luis Enrique is one of the outsider candidates to be appoint as the next permanent Manchester United boss.
In the wake of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’s exit from United last November, the Spain boss emerged as a major contender to potentially succeed the Norwegian in the role long-term at Old Trafford. Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is said to be a leading candidate for the role. Ten Hag, 52, met with United bosses last week to talk about becoming their new manager.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino is also in the frame. Pochettino had initially been the favourite for the United job, as revealed last month, with the Old Trafford hierarchy confident of landing their man. That revelation was later fleshed out by Mirror Football reporting that the Argentine was the preferred candidate among the players in United’s dressing room.
Yet Luis Enrique is held in the upmost regard in coaching circles, and it is little surprise he is being linked to the United post. He has built up an impressive CV in recent years and despite being contracted to the Spanish national team, may be seen as attainable by United should the role prove attractive to the boss.
The former Barcelona midfielder has guided La Roja to next year’s World Cup finals in Qatar, having coached them to the Euro 2020 semi-finals and last year’s Nations League final. His coaching career has previously encompassed spells at Celta Vigo, Roma and Barcelona – where he memorably won the treble, including the club’s last Champions League title, in 2015.
Yet Luis Enrique has already responded directly to the links with a switch to Old Trafford, having first been asked about the possibility of a move in November. That was in the aftermath of Solskjaer’s sacking and prior to Ralf Rangnick being appointed as an interim coach until the end of the current campaign.
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Rangnick’s temporary appointment has delayed United’s decision on their long-term manager until the end of the season – although the club are hopeful of announcing a new boss prior to that date. With leading candidates Pochettino and Ten Hag contracted to other clubs, a summer move would prove more feasible for all parties.
During the November international break, Luis Enrique responded with the links to the United job with the joke: “Is it April Fools Day?” It appeared to be a clear rebuff of the suggestions he may be tempted to quite his national team role for Old Trafford, although it may have just been the boss poking fun at the suggestion and stopping any further questions on the subject.
Luis Enrique is unlikely to walk away from the Spain national team post just months ahead of his first World Cup in the role, but links with a move to United may be tempting for him. He has a track record for making tough decisions on players and building a team in his own defined style – attributes that make him highly thought of in the Old Trafford corridors.
