Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Set for a Manchester United move?

Manchester United manager betting: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer odds-on favourite to replace Jose Mourinho

By Sporting Life

09:32 · WED December 19, 2018

Jose Mourinho's time as Manchester United manager has come to an end and we look at the main contenders to replace him at Old Trafford.

The writing has been on the wall for some time now and, following a lifeless weekend defeat to bitter rivals Liverpool, Ed Woodward and the United hierarchy have acted by relieving him of his duties.

With the latest odds from Sky Bet, we take a look at the top candidates to replace Mourinho in the dug-out at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - 1/2

It has been widely reported that former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is being considered for the caretaker manager's job, seeing his price shorten dramatically from around 10/1 at midday.

A fans' favourite at Old Trafford, the 45-year-old was manager of the club's reserve team between 2008 and took the reins at the Norwegian club in 2011.

Solskjaer had a short spell at Cardiff - United's opponents this weekend - and returned to Molde in 2015.

The former striker signed a new three-year deal with the Norwegian club two weeks ago. It is currently the off season in his home land until March and that would be helpful in speeding up the appointment process.

Laurent Blanc - 6/1

Laurent Blanc: The former defender spent 2001-03 at Manchester United

A name that was 9/1 this morning, Frenchman Laurent Blanc has been well backed for the post due to the terms of being a permanent manager.

The 53-year-old, who spent two years at Old Trafford as a player in the early 2000s, is a free agent after leaving his role at Paris Saint-Germain in 2016.

He has tasted league success as a manager in France on four occasions, once with Bordeaux and three times with PSG, as well as winning four league cups and two Coupe de France trophies.

Zinedine Zidane - 7/1

Zinedine Zidane won a third successive Champions League with Real Madrid in May

The French footballing legend is a free agent following his surprise departure from Real Madrid, after two-and-a-half years, in the summer.

With three successive Champions League titles and a La Liga triumph on his CV in a relatively short management career, he could be given the chance to impress in the Premier League.

The 46-year-old is favourite after being sighted in London last month, close to Manchester United's offices in the capital, while he is also said to be learning English in preparation for the job.

It was also reported how Zidane has been in touch with Mourinho to assure the Portuguese he was not plotting behind his back.

He never worked in England domestically during his playing days and his inexperience in this aspect could cost him when compared with other candidates.

Michael Carrick - 10/1

Jose Mourinho in discussion with Michael Carrick

This may seem a strange on to be be so short in the betting, but the market terms with Sky Bet state: 'Caretaker and interim managers completing at least 10 competitive games will be deemed the permanent manager.'

Carrick only hung up his boots at the end of last season and the 37-year-old joined Mourinho's coaching staff, often seen beside the Portuguese in the dugout, so he is pretty inexperienced on the touchline and training ground.

Carrick will now be 'acting interim manager' until a full replacement is found and, should United learn their top target is unavailable until the summer, the former England midfielder could end up seeing out the season at the helm.

Mauricio Pochettino - 14/1

Mauricio Pochettino: The Spurs boss has confirmed a number of absentees for Wednesday's Barcelona clash

Mauricio Pochettino: The Spurs boss has been linked with Man United

The Argentinian has impressed since first arriving in England as manager with Southampton in 2013.

With a reputation for putting his faith in youth, Pochettino has helped transform Spurs into title contenders and, should United be able to match his demands, he has the potential to succeed with the club.

The question is, would he leave Spurs, in the season they begin a new era in their brand new White Hart Lane Stadium, along with a talented squad which he has developed over a number of years, for a club in disarray both on and off the field?

The 46-year-old is reportedly, along with Zidane, Woodward's preferred choice to replace Mourinho.

Antonio Conte - 16/1

Antonio Conte: The Italian celebrates his FA Cup success with Chelsea

Talking of Premier League experience, another free agent in the running is Antonio Conte, winner of the 2016/17 title with Chelsea.

The Italian - the permanent replacement for Mourinho at the Blues - left Stamford Bridge in the summer after his relationship with the club and his players turned toxic.

With a Premier League and Serie A title, among others, on his CV as a manager, Conte brings a wealth of experience and can get the best out of his players as well as being tactically astute.

Talk surfaced earlier this year linking Conte with the job at Old Trafford, with United chiefs reportedly plotting a double move which would see Beppe Morotta, whom Conte worked with at Juventus, brought in as director of football to work with Conte to try return United to the elite in English football.

Conte's last Chelsea contract was reportedly worth around £8m a year, so the 49-year-old will not come cheap but a move United are more than capable of financing.