While the likes of Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti won’t be going anywhere, here are ten top manager who might be tempted into a move…
The Manchester City hierarchy appears to be growing steadily more frustrated with manager Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean’s side have already been knocked out of two cup competitions, and face daunting deficits in both the Premier League title race and their Champions League clash with Barcelona.
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Already this week they’ve been linked with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, as well as shock move for Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers. That got us thinking – if City, or any big club around Europe sacked their manager tomorrow, who would they be most likely to go for?
We can probably rule out both Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti – who look firmly committed to Chelsea and Real Madrid respectively – but is there any other manager on the continent who could not be tempted away by a superior offer?
In the list below, we rank our top ten candidates for this phantom job. These are some of the biggest and best managerial names around, but click through to find out who would be our favourite:
10) Slaven Bilic (Besiktas)
Enjoyed huge success with the Croatian national team, and is now also doing well in Turkey. He guided Besiktas to a memorable Europa League win over Liverpool last week, and has also pushed Tottenham and Arsenal close this season.
9) Ronald Koeman (Southampton)
The Dutchman has done an oustanding job in the South Coast so far this season. After starting the season needing to rebuild almost his entire squad, he has done so to great effect, leading the Saints to within touching distance of the top four.
8) Antonio Conte (Italy National Team)
Conte led Juventus to three successive Serie A titles between 2012 and 2014, before surprisingly stepping down in order to take the Italian national team job. Despite a promising start, he could yet be tempted back into club football.
7) Laurent Blanc (Paris Saint Germain)
A man very much used to winning things in the managerial world, having enjoyed unprecedented success with Paris Saint Germain. The French giants remain on course for the quadruple this season, although Chelsea will be aiming to end those hopes next week.
6) Rafael Benitez (Napoli)
The former Liverpool and Chelsea boss has worked wonders with a number of Europe’s biggest club sides, and will no doubt be eager to escape Italy, having struggled to help Napoli reach the heights they will have been hoping for.
5) Frank De Boer (Ajax)
Another Dutch boss with a growing reputation, De Boer has done extremely well with Ajax, and now has his eyes set on one of Europe’s more illustrious jobs. As it has for many of his players, the club has provided him with a useful stepping stone.
4) Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool)
Rodgers’ job looked under threat earlier in this season, as his side struggled to cope with the loss of Luis Suarez. However, he’s brilliantly led the Reds post-Christmas revival, and has them back within two points of fourth place.
3) Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund)
It’s been a difficult season for Dortmund’s charismatic leader, but like Rodgers he’s steadily managed to turn things around. Having led Dortmund to both domestic and European success in the past, he remains a top candidate.
2) Pep Guardiola (Bayern Munich)
Just how committed is Guardiola to any one club? He left Barcelona, and he’s already talked openly about having more managerial targets that just Bayern Munich. Surely, England must be the next step on his European tick list!
1) Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid)
The former Argentine international guided Madrid to an unprecedented success in La Liga last season, as well as to within mere moments of winning the Champions League. With Atletico now being pushed to their very limit, it’s easy to see why he might like a chance with a bigger name and a bigger budget.