Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with a move to Manchester for over 12 months now, but his destination could be the Etihad rather than Old Trafford.
Since Jose Mourinho left Manchester United in late 2018, the Argentinian has been touted as his long-term replacement, even with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the job and with another two years left to run on his contract.
But, with Manchester City's impending European ban, Pep Guardiola's future has come under speculation with just domestic football trophies up for grabs in the next two seasons unless their appeal is successful.
Pochettino recently fuelled speculation of a move to the Red Devils after he was seen at Brentford's draw with Leeds on Tuesday.
He was spotted close to new United PR advisor Neil Ashton, which led to fans putting two and two together. Others, meanwhile, suspected he was merely there to watch Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds, with the two Argentinians close friends.
👋 Mauricio Pochettino arrives at Griffin Park...
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) February 11, 2020
🤔 ...closely followed by Manchester United's newly-hired PR adviser Neil Ashton.
😈 Some would say coincidence, Red Devils fans would say otherwise...
👀 #MUFC #BreLee pic.twitter.com/UuurIKWDYs
Pochettino did, however, recently admit his desire to remain in English football.
"To be honest, I would love to work in the Premier League," he told Sky Sports' In The Pink podcast.
"It's going to be difficult, I know, and for now it's a moment to wait and we'll see what happens.
"It's a moment of recovery, to think about yourself a little bit, and to be ready because in football always something can happen and you need to be ready.
"I'm ready and waiting for a new challenge. I have the belief and confidence that the next challenge will be fantastic.”
He has also been linked to Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG and a whole host of top clubs across the continent, but Pochettino added: "If we move to Europe, we are going to miss England."
But, with the upheaval at Manchester City causing uncertainty for the club's star-studded playing and coaching staffs, Pochettino's 'heart lies with Man City, even if they lose a host of top talent', according to The Sun.
Pochettino has since been well backed for the position at 4/1 with Sky Bet, with the 47-year-old thought to be an ideal replacement for Guardiola due to his preferred style of football.
It may well force United to react, and they remain odds-on favourites to appoint Pochettino - for now at least.
Mauricio Pochettino's next club (via Sky Bet)
- Manchester Utd - 4/6
- Manchester City - 4/1
- Barcelona - 8/1
- No Club or Country by 1st August 2020 - 8/1
- Real Madrid - 8/1
- Bayern Munich - 11/1
- PSG - 16/1
- Borussia Dortmund - 22/1
- Any Chinese Club - 25/1
Odds via Sky Bet and correct at 1800 GMT on 15/02/20
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