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Two 'Surprise' Managers Have Emerged As Candidates To Replace Solskjaer At Manchester United

Two 'Surprise' Managers Have Emerged As Candidates To Replace Solskjaer At Manchester United

A former United defender is among the two candidates.

James Hilsum

James Hilsum

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking as Manchester United manager was confirmed this morning, and two surprise contenders have emerged as potential replacements for the Norwegian.

The Athletic reports that Laurent Blanc and Julen Lopetegui are among a list of options being explored to take the hotseat at Old Trafford.

PA: Laurent Blanc won a Premier League title at Manchester United.
PA: Laurent Blanc won a Premier League title at Manchester United.

Blanc spent two seasons as a player at United and was part of the squad that won the Premier League title in 2003 at the end of a glittering playing career.

The 56-year-old is currently in charge of Qatari side Al-Rayyan - his fourth managerial job after spells in charge of Bordeaux, Paris Saint Germain and the France national team.

The 1998 World Cup winner already has several major trophies on his coaching CV, winning five French Super Cups, four Ligue 1 titles, four French League Cups and two French Cups during his time at Bordeaux and PSG.

PA: Julen Lopetegui celebrates winning the Europa League with Sevilla.
PA: Julen Lopetegui celebrates winning the Europa League with Sevilla.

Lopetegui is currently in charge of Sevilla and led the club to a record-extending sixth Europa League title after beating Inter Milan in the 2020 final.

The 55-year-old also had spells in charge of FC Porto, Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano and the Spain national team.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Brendan Rodgers is being viewed as an expensive option, while PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino is "going nowhere."

For now, Michael Carrick will take charge of the side heading into the Champions League clash away at Villarreal on Tuesday.

The club are then set to make an interim appointment until the end of the season in a bid to salvage what has been a dismal campaign to date.

United's 4-1 defeat away at Watford on Saturday was the straw that broke the camel's back for Solskjaer, and left the side 11 points adrift of league leaders Chelsea after only 12 games played.

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Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Julen Lopetegui