Is Pochettino joining Zenit St Petersburg? Manchester United's potential Solskjaer replacement reportedly 'in talks'
Even as rumor mills around the sacking of Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continues to do the rounds with Mauricio Pochettino looked at as his replacement, there were some interesting developments stating the former Tottenham boss is reportedly in talks to become the gaffer of Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg.
According to an Express report and multiple media outlets, the side is looking to replace their current manager, Sergei Semak, and Pochettino, fired after a disastrous start to the Spurs 2019-20 campaign, has been in consideration. He was also linked with multiple European clubs for being a tactical genius and one of the Premier League's best managers in the business. Manchester City was also one of the sides looking to sign Pochettino as Pep Guardiola's future remains unclear.
While United may have reversed their fortunes in the last three games with two impressive wins over Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig in the Champions League and a draw against Chelsea in their Premier League leg, Solskjaer's role in the team is still under doubt, and Pochettino was looked at as one of the potential replacements.
According to Russian publication, Championat, the misfiring Zenit squad wants to rope in the Argentine. They currently have no wins in the Champions League and remain third in the domestic league table.
The publication also added that the 48-year-old was "open to proposals" and the side had a "real chance" as the team didn't see any of their suitors make a move. Should the deal come true, it will be quite the lucrative deal for Pochettino as the Russian outfit are reportedly ready to pay him just under £6m ($7m) a year, £2.5m shy of his previous yearly raking.
It was a poor send-off for the former Spurs man as he was replaced by Mourinho. According to The Mirror, Woodward "will have no hesitation firing" Solksjaer despite his decorated status at the club if he’s unable to turn around their poor start to the season. Pochettino is yet to win a Premier League trophy but he does come in as an excellent choice with immense experience. He took charge of the Spurs in 2014 and was their gaffer for a good five years.
Pochettino has led the Spurs to the finals of the Champions League and top-three finishes in three of his first four seasons with Daniel Levy's team. His high-pressing, attacking style of football with a 4-3-2-1 formation along with man-management skills was praised by players under him and there's a good chance he might be the most favored to take Solksjaer's place.