By David Lee Wheatley
David Moyes' ill-fated succession of Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager came to an abrupt end this week after ten tortuous months in charge. Following such a legendary figure into the Old Trafford hot-seat was always going to be a hugely difficult task and it proved far too much for the ex-Everton boss.
Now, with the team sitting 7th in the Premier League and appearing to be in grave danger of missing out altogether on European football next season, who is in the frame to replace the man once described as 'The Chosen One' at a club desperate to rectify the problems that have plagued them throughout the entire campaign?
The following names are the five candidates I believe to be highest on the list of possible replacements:
Louis van Gaal (Netherlands national team)
Vastly experienced 62-year-old Louis van Gaal made his intention to seek an English Premier League managerial position clear several months ago when confirming he'd leave his post with the Netherlands national side after this summer's World Cup.
Having led European greats Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich to spectacular heights, he now wishes to try his hand at a competition he admires greatly. There were strong rumours surrounding Spurs' interest in the sought-after signature of the Dutchman, but the chance to resurrect United to their former glories would almost certainly hold more appeal.
Stubborn, a renowned man-manager and firm believer in the 'Total Football' attacking style of football harnessed in his homeland, van Gaal would seem the perfect fit for a side in dire need of direction.
Major honours
League titles: 7 (3 Ajax; 2 Barcelona; 1 AZ; 1 Bayern Munich)
Domestic Cups: 3 (1 Ajax; 1 Barcelona; 1 Bayern Munich)
Champions' League: 1 (Ajax)
UEFA Cup/Europa League: 1 (Ajax)
Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund)
Highly-rated German coach Klopp has been repeatedly linked to several top jobs around Europe since leading Dortmund to successive Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, also lifting the German Cup to claim the double on the second occasion.
The former Mainz player impressed many observers with those domestic achievements, but did so even further when taking his side to the Champions' League final of 2013 before losing agonisingly to compatriots Bayern at Wembley.
Entertainment is guaranteed with Klopp's notoriously effervescent displays on the touchline during matches along with his endearing media persona which has placed him near the top of the United hit-list. However, the 46-year-old recently signed an extension to his Dortmund deal until 2018, while also publicly denying any interest in leaving his current position.
Time will tell whether a concrete offer could tempt the Stuttgart-born into going back on his word in order to take over at Old Trafford.
Major honours
League titles: 2 (Borussia Dortmund)
Domestic Cups: 1 (Borussia Dortmund)
Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
Amiable Italian Ancelotti has a very important job to focus on currently with Real very close to a potential Champions' League final, while also still in the hunt for La Liga glory.
He's managed successfully in England previously when delivering a league and FA Cup double to Chelsea, plus the 54-year-old can also point to fantastic successes over the course of many years with European heavyweights such as Juventus, Milan and PSG prior to a dream move to the Spanish capital.
Whether he'd be willing to give up his long-awaited opportunity to coach the Madrid giants is debatable; after all, he sacrificed a planned continuation of his involvement with a wonderful project in Paris to grab the Bernabeu reins in the first place.
It's likely the only way United could prise him away from Spain is with the open encouragement and blessing of Real Madrid, as opposed to Ancelotti forcing the issue.
Major honours
League titles: 3 (1 Milan; 1 Chelsea; 1 PSG)
Domestic Cups: 3 (1 Milan; 1 Chelsea; 1 Real Madrid)
Champions' League: 2 (Milan)
Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)
Many experts suggested the Portuguese was the only man who could've comfortably filled the shoes of outgoing manager Ferguson when the job was up for grabs the last time around and certainly the role was of huge interest to the controversial tactician before his agreement to make a much-heralded return to old stomping ground Stamford Bridge last summer.
A trophy-laden managerial career thus far puts the former Porto man on a pedestal with some, but he remains a truly divisive figure. Past comments have given rise to furious speculation surrounding Mourinho's apparent desire to take on the challenge of restoring Manchester United to the top of the Premier League tree where they resided for so long under the fiery Scot who presided over nearly 27 years of unparalleled success, but it will be tricky for the self-confident Mourinho to accept the post now that he's ensconced back at the Chelsea helm.
In saying that, it would be typical of 'The Special One' to instigate a sensational U-turn on his claims of being exactly 'where he wants to be' with his beloved Blues by moving across to Manchester. He doesn't care what anybody thinks of him, or about the various repercussions that may occur from such a decision in terms of the reaction from both Chelsea and United fans, because it's all about Jose at the end of the day!
The United hierarchy declined the possibility of appointing the 51-year-old when Fergie confirmed his departure, due to his extensive baggage and unsavoury mind games which often attracts such bad publicity upon the club he represents. However, he has won everything available in club football repeatedly and that impressive roll of honour could prove tempting to any potential suitor.
It's doubtful that anyone with a say in the matter will have altered their opinion on the subject of Mourinho, though.
Major honours
League titles: 7 (2 Porto; 2 Chelsea; 2 Inter; 1 Real Madrid)
Domestic Cups: 4 (1 Porto; 1 Chelsea; 1 Inter; 1 Real Madrid)
Champions' League: 2 (1 Porto; 1 Inter)
UEFA Cup/Europa League: 1 (Porto)
Laurent Blanc (Paris Saint-Germain)
Frenchman Blanc is on the verge of sealing Le Championat in his first campaign with big-spending Paris Saint-Germain, following a slightly disappointing two-year spell in charge of the national team.
He found success in his first head coaching role with Bordeaux, as they lifted both the Coupe de la League and the French championship under his tutelage. Despite a bruising encounter with international football, where his high-point was reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2012, former defender Blanc is back at the pinnacle of Ligue 1 with the ambitious PSG.
At 48, he would seem to be the perfect age to take on the major rebuilding work required at one of the world's most glamorous clubs and he would also command a great deal of respect from the fans immediately thanks to a 75-game stint with the Red Devils during his playing days.
Blanc understands the club and it's traditions intimately, which could hand him a significant advantage in the race for the post should he possess any interest in returning to Old Trafford.
Major honours
League titles: 1 (Bordeaux) - plus another imminent with PSG
Domestic Cups: 2 (1 League Cup Bordeaux; 1 League Cup PSG)
Selected betting odds on United's next permanent manager: Louis van Gaal 4/6; Carlo Ancelotti 13/2; Jose Mourinho 8/1; Jurgen Klopp 16/1; Ryan Giggs 22/1; Antonio Conte 28/1; Diego Simeone 33/1; Frank De Boer 33/1; Laurent Blanc 33/1; Pep Guardiola 40/1; Steve Bruce 66/1.
Follow me on Twitter: @davewh1980
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