Why Rodgers is an increasingly hot favourite to replace Ole
Robin Bairner
- 13 Nov 2021 16:02 GMT
- 3 min read
With Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer increasingly under pressure, the odds on Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers being the man to take over from him continue to shorten.
Solskjaer has spent the majority of the season under scrutiny, having built a team that has the quality to challenge for the Premier League title following the summer acquisitions of Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane.
The Red Devils, though, look well off the pace. Not only are they sixth in the league, they have also been humbled at home by both Liverpool and Manchester City – fierce rivals historically as well as the main challengers for the title.
Man Utd have also recently suffered defeats to Aston Villa and Leicester, leaving Solskjaer’s job insecure.
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Why Brendan Rodgers is favourite for Man Utd
Rodgers, meanwhile, is now odds-on favourite to take command from Solskjaer if and when he is sacked.
He boasts an excellent record at Leicester in recent seasons, even if the Foxes are having a more difficult time of it in 2021/22, while he also has experience of managing an elite club. Indeed, he nearly led Liverpool to their first Premier League title in 2013/14, only for a crucial Steven Gerrard slip against Chelsea to lead to their demise.
Rodgers plays an attractive brand of football that suits Man Utd’s philosophy.
Furthermore, there are a lack of other options.
Antonio Conte has elected to take up the job at Tottenham – perhaps a sign that Ole is not as close to the sack as many believe – while the lack of suitable candidates is highlighted by the fact that Ronaldo is currently fifth favourite to take up the post.
Other leading candidates to become Man Utd manager
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brendan Rodgers | 4/5 |
| Zinedine Zidane | 8/1 |
| Mauricio Pochettino | 8/1 |
| Ralf Rangnick | 10/1 |
| Erik ten Hag | 12/1 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 25/1 |
Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino are considered joint second-favourites for the post, although there are particularly question marks over whether the Frenchman would want the job.
Meanwhile, Ralf Rangnick is quoted at 10/1, though now prefers a sporting director role as opposed to a place in the spotlight.
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is the other popular option at 12/1, having worked wonders with the Amsterdam outfit of late.
