When Mauricio Pochettino was revealed as being on the two-man final shortlist for the Manchester United job along with Erik ten Hag, he was clear favourite and there was a school of thought which had the Argentine as the only realistic option.
Ten Hag had never managed a top club or even been a manager outside Holland, whereas Pochettino has Premier League experience and unfinished business in England after being sacked at Tottenham.
He has a reputation for exciting attacking football, high pressing and stringent fitness demands, and is a modern coach with the presence and top-level playing experience to command respect in such a huge job. The players wanted him too.
United’s attentions went back years, with legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly pushing his case since 2016 after meeting him. He was said to have spent months studying the club, city and players, and held positive talks with the hierarchy.
It made perfect sense, went the theory, at least. But Pochettino was left blindsided by ten Hag’s appointment on Thursday and was reportedly shocked by the decision because no one at the club told him, leaving him marooned at Paris Saint-Germain.
The 50-year-old is expected to leave the French giants this summer after crashing out of the Champions League against Real Madrid and struggling with the big egos, with a canter to the Ligue 1 title unlikely to prevent his departure.
With Carlo Ancelotti thriving at Real Madrid, Antonio Conte improving Pochettino’s former club Tottenham and no standout job at a big club available, he might be stuck in an unhappy marriage in Paris until his contract runs down in 2023.
So where he could go next? Sportsmail assesses his options…
Mauricio Pochettino was caught unaware by Erik ten Hag’s appointment as Man United boss
The Dutchman (pictured) was confirmed as the Red Devils’ new manager on Thursday morning
The 50-year-old’s hopes of landing one of Europe’s top jobs after leaving PSG are…