The chances of Manchester United making Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique their next permanent head coach have increased, and a journalist explains why a farewell from the French capital could be a real possibility.
Enrique has done an outstanding job at Paris Saint-Germain, helping the club move away from superstar signings and instead build a squad filled with talented young players. Under the Spaniard’s leadership, players such as Vitinha, Ousmane Dembélé, Nuno Mendes, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and João Neves have developed into stars at the elite level.
Read: Bayern Munich happily dump injury-prone player to Manchester United
PSG finally put an end to their wait for Champions League triumph last season, when they became European champions while sweeping away all three national trophies in an unprecedented quadruple.
The Paris club are chasing more success this season, but other big clubs are hoping to lure Enrique away from the Parc des Princes.
Enrique has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Manchester United job, should INEOS decide not to give it to Michael Carrick permanently.
Miguel Delaney, chief football correspondent at The Independent, has given a big update on Enrique to United in his newsletter.
“Sources at Manchester United say that Luis Enrique is the name that is being mentioned more and more often, and the club is said to be willing to make a serious attempt to secure him,” Delaney wrote.
“One might wonder why he would leave PSG now, but there is growing speculation that he will leave in the summer, and he has long expressed a desire to work in the Premier League.”
On March 11, Tyrone Marshall revealed in the Manchester Evening News that Enrique is an option for United, as he “speaks excellent English”, but whether he can be persuaded to go to Old Trafford remains to be seen.
The fact that United look set to qualify for next season’s Champions League will increase their chances of bringing the 55-year-old tactician to the club.
Enrique is also among four managers being considered for the Chelsea job if Liam Rosenior is sacked.
De Zerbi and Iraola also on Man Utd’s radar
If Enrique takes over United, it will please Gary Neville, who has repeatedly called for the club to hire a truly elite manager to attract the world’s best players.
Roberto De Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann and Andoni Iraola are also in the running for the United job.
We understand that De Zerbi would rather coach United than a Tottenham in crisis, while Iraola recently dampened speculation that he will return to Athletic Club.
Our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, gave an update on Carrick’s future last week.
“Michael Carrick impresses, the way he works, his attitude and his commitment to the role, and this is what will get him the job – not opinions, whichever way they point,” he confirmed.
“This is Manchester United, it’s a club that’s a pressure cooker – it always will be. There will always be comments, both negative and positive. But I am told that it will not affect the club in any way.
“The club is working the coaching front, and although Carrick appears to be the leading candidate, the club insists that they make thorough assessments of all the options available to them.”
Read on F7: Julian Ryerson in an absolutely wild comeback
