An old comment by Sir Alex Ferguson about Mauricio Pochettino is back in the spotlight, as the Argentine is being touted as one of the top candidates for the Manchester United coaching job, should the club’s management decide to make a change following the team’s poor start to the season.
Pochettino had been linked with United several times in the past, but Ferguson’s admiration for him had been evident as early as 2016, when the Scot had particularly highlighted the way the then-Tottenham manager handled young players.
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“The coach has done a fantastic job. He’s calm; you never see him lose his cool, and the way his team plays is a testament to his work,” Ferguson had said.
What stood out most, however, was Pochettino’s confidence in the younger generation.
“The most important thing for English soccer is how many English players and how many young players are on his team. He understands the advantage of using young players. They won’t let you down, and they’ve been fantastic,” he had noted.
This philosophy aligns with one of the core elements of Manchester United’s identity, a club that has traditionally given significant playing time to academy graduates and young players.
Ferguson and Pochettino have maintained a good relationship for years. The two men had lunch together in London and had also met several times at events organized by the Managers’ Association.
The Argentine’s name is now back in the mix, as Michael Carrick’s position is under significant pressure. United has had a very poor start to the season and is currently in the relegation zone, with management evaluating the situation for the future.
Despite the intense speculation surrounding his future, Carrick led the team through a normal training session on Wednesday morning, while the club’s leadership is expected to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the situation.
Pochettino, for his part, is currently the head coach of the U.S. national team and has recently signed a new contract that runs through the 2030 World Cup. This means that if United decides to move forward with hiring him, it will have to pay compensation to the U.S. Soccer Federation.
*photo source: AP
