Richard Keys Names Manager Who Man Utd Should’ve Hired Over Pochettino

Manchester United have an agreement in principle to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager if Michael Carrick is sacked.

The English giants sit 18th in the Premier League table after just one win from 10 matches so far. Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox were expected to recommend a change in the dugout during a meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe this week.

That appears to be the direction of travel, with discussions taking place to get Pochettino out of his USMNT contract. The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss has more experience than Carrick, but Richard Keys believes he’s not the right man for the job.

Richard Keys Names the Ideal Man Utd Manager

In fact, the British presenter thinks there’s only one correct answer to the Man Utd managerial conundrum. The 69-year-old was speaking on his podcast with Andy Gray when he revealed who he thinks should be in the Old Trafford dugout next.

Key brushed over the leading candidates, Pochettino, Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann, to name Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti as the ideal manager. The former Sky Sports presenter labelled the five-time Champions League-winning coach as ‘streets ahead’ of any alternative.

Ancelotti has won league titles in Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France. Keys believes that experience and the reputation that comes with the iconic Italian would be a good thing for Man Utd.

He continued: “Ancelotti, wherever he’s been, has been a top club, apart from Everton. He’s managed the top clubs all around the world.”

Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler was originally named among potential managers if Carrick was axed, but it is believed the German isn’t looking to leave the Amex during the season.

Keys thinks Ancelotti would give United enough time to make a long-term decision, as he added: “It gives you a few months’ breathing space and the chance to see what Hurzeler is going to do anyway and maybe you put yourself back among the big boys.”

Keys Calls For More Sackings at Man Utd

Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Two men who have come under more criticism than Carrick himself are Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox. While it’s expected that the Red Devils will stick with their directors, Keys believes both should be heading for the exit door with Carrick.

He tweeted on Tuesday: “If United sack Carrick, Wilcox & Berrada must go as well. This is on them. Wilcox has failed too many times & Berrada shouldn’t be allowed to run from what happened at City. He was there – in the middle of it. Clear the decks, United.”