Spurs legend says Poch can’t turn down Man Utd

Former Spurs striker Teddy Sheringham has weighed in on the speculation linking Pochettino to the Manchester United managerial job.

The 52-year old reckons Pochettino is the outstanding candidate for the job given what he has proved at Tottenham over the last few years and that the lure of managing Manchester United might prove too tempting to turn down for the Argentine.

Speaking to Love Sport Radio, the former England striker said, “There’s only one candidate for me. Pochettino is doing all the right things at Tottenham.”

“People will say he hasn’t won anything but he’s transformed things in North London. He’s got them on the right path. He gets players playing to the best of their capabilities and that’s what you want as a manager.”

“I don’t think it’s a case of whether Spurs will let him go and I don’t think it’s about money. I think it’s just about what Pochettino wants to do. If United want him and he wants to go I don’t think Tottenham will stand in his way. You can’t turn down the chance to join Manchester United as a player and it must be exactly the same as a manager.”

Sheringham, who himself made the move from North London to Manchester before returning back to White Hart Lane, enjoyed success at both clubs and is held in high regard by both sets of fans.

However, he did outline one reason that could cause Man Utd to call off their pursuit of Pochettino – If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer proves a success at the Old Trafford dugout.

Solskjaer has been appointed as the interim manager at Old Trafford till the end of the season and Sheringham thinks owing to Solskjaer’s legendary status, it will be hard to not give him a full-time role if he proves to be a success this season.

Speaking about the Norwegian, Sheringham said, “Solskjaer isn’t a proven manager but he’s an Old Trafford favorite after everything he achieved as a player there. United are the biggest club in the world so you’ve got to go for the best man, but you never know, he might set the world alight up there.”

“He’s a lovely man first and foremost and I wish him all the luck in the world because it’s a massive job he’s taken on. If you get the right results there might be a case that you can’t [not] put him in charge.”

It will be interesting to see how Solskjaer does at Man Utd. His reign has certainly gotten off to a great start with United scoring 8 goals in his first two games in charge.

One can’t help but feel that an approach from Manchester United is coming sooner or later for Pochettino and a whether he stays or goes will likely depend on what Tottenham are able to achieve this season.