Premier League: Conte to replace Mourinho as Man Utd’s next manager?

Conte and Marotta to Old Trafford?

According to the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is in line for a Premier League return at Manchester United.

Citing the report, Sky Sports says that when Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta leaves the Italian club this month he could become United’s new sporting director. Marotta reportedly wants to bring Conte with him to Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho, the current United boss, is under big pressure after a poor start to the season. The Red Devils are out of form and the Portuguese manager has reportedly had bust-ups with star players Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez.

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Last month there were claims that Zinedine Zidane was the favourite to take over at United should Mourinho quit or be fired.

According to the Sack Race website, Zidane is still the bookies’ choice as Man Utd’s next manager followed by Conte and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino. Other names mentioned include United legend and Wales chief Ryan Giggs and Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Man Utd next manager betting odds

Latest prices according to TheSackRace.com:

• Zinedine Zidane: 4/6
• Antonio Conte: 10/1
• Mauricio Pochettino: 10/1
• Ryan Giggs: 16/1
• Massimiliano Allegri: 20/1
• Carlo Ancelotti: 20/1
• Laurent Blanc: 20/1
• Diego Simeone: 20/1
• Arsene Wenger: 25/1

Pochettino rules out managing Barcelona

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino may be one of the favourites for the Man Utd hot seat but one club he will never take charge of is Barcelona.

The Argentine played more than 250 games for Barca’s Catalan rivals Espanyol and says his loyalty to the “parakeets” would mean never sitting in the home dugout at the Camp Nou.

Spurs face Barcelona in the Champions League tomorrow night at Wembley and Pochettino told the Spanish newspaper Marca: “It is something that is more than understood.

“I have a lot of friends in Barcelona, who are from the Barca team and to whom I have enormous respect, but my way and that of Barcelona are going through different paths, in opposite directions and that would be impossible.

“It motivates me, being a ‘parakeet’ and living for so many years in Barcelona. Going back to the city is always something nice and playing against Barca, too. It is always motivating.”