Gary Neville's preferred candidate to manage Manchester United might be just weeks away from returning to the Premier League, but with a different club.
United have been through the managerial merry-go-round ever since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, having had eight permanent bosses in the last 13 years. During that time frame, Neville has often given his thoughts on who would be best suited to the role.
Neville's long-standing admiration
After the exits of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the former United right-back suggested that Mauricio Pochettino would be the ideal choice to bring the Red Devils back to former glories.
Pochettino made a huge impression during his time in charge of Tottenham, leading them to a Champions League final and consistently finishing inside the Premier League's top four.
Speaking in the aftermath of Mourinho's sacking, Neville said: "When I look at values at Manchester United, I look at his belief in young players, his performance levels, style of play, the way he’s carried himself.
"My view is he is somebody who brings the three key principles of the club: style of play, promotion of youth and winning football matches. He is the person who is the outstanding candidate."
Then, after Solskjaer was axed, Neville again hinted that Pochettino would be the perfect man for United, saying: "He's a coach, he has that feeling about him."
Pressure at Tottenham
Even though Michael Carrick is under pressure at United after their dreadful start to the season, it seems more likely that Pochettino would return to Tottenham in the event of Roberto De Zerbi being sacked.
The north Londoners spent over £300million on new players in the summer window but remain winless after five games and failed to score a single goal in their opening four matches.
Their wretched form has left De Zerbi under a huge amount of pressure, just six months after he was appointed to replace Igor Tudor.
Pochettino's stance
It's been speculated that Pochettino could be targeted by Tottenham if the Italian is relieved of his duties. That's despite the former recently signing a contract extension with the United States until the summer of 2030.
Pochettino was heavily linked with the Spurs job last season, but decided to stay with the USMNT ahead of their home World Cup in the summer.
Earlier this month, the Argentine coach insisted that he will be ready to help his former club if they come calling again, even if that would mean managing in the Championship.
Speaking to The Guardian, he said: "It’s the only club that always I am open to help, in whatever division. When I was free, I never received a contact and then when I was working, I received a contact but I cannot make the decision to come back.
"It was a little bit unlucky. Maybe one day the stars will align and it can happen. If I was free, of course, I [would have] come, but I wasn’t free. I was preparing the World Cup."
