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Following a disappointing spell of merely a single victory across 10 league games under Michael Carrick, Manchester United appear poised to replace their manager.
Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as a top contender to succeed Carrick, with ex-Southampton and Red Devils midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin offering a glowing backing for the Argentine tactician.
Widely regarded as the frontrunner for the post, Pochettino receives strong backing from Schneiderlin—who enjoyed his peak playing years under him on the South Coast—claiming the 54-year-old possesses the character needed to bring harmony back to a divided team.
Schneiderlin: ‘Pochettino shouted in Spanish, demanding that we press relentlessly!’
Looking back at Pochettino’s transition to English football back in 2013, Schneiderlin shared that early communication difficulties in no way diminished the manager’s command.
“Fluency wasn’t essential for him at first,” Schneiderlin explained to Comeon.com. “He’d wrap an arm around your shoulders and, with assistance from an interpreter or an English speaker, clarify what he valued in your game and precisely what he expected from you.”
“His pre-match speech prior to our opening fixture versus Everton remains etched in my memory. Delivered entirely in Spanish, it was enormously inspiring, and the core message that resonated crystal clear with all of us was: ‘Hunt like lions! Hunt like lions! Hunt like lions!’ Naturally, we hunted like lions!
“Given that he now commands fluent English, his task will be significantly smoother. Yet even back then, his magnetic personality, stature, and demeanor instantly captivated us all.”
This collective commitment was forged during rigorous practice at Southampton, where Pochettino introduced an uncompromising conditioning regimen.
“Our workouts on the field and in the fitness room were exceptionally intense, aimed not at aesthetic bodybuilding or beach looks, but at developing immense leg power,” notes Schneiderlin.
“He deployed me in a genuine box-to-box role—demanding that I cover ground, apply pressure, and regain possession. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Nevertheless, Schneiderlin cautioned fans not to anticipate Pochettino immediately leaning on youth academy talent to rescue Manchester United, emphasizing that the environment at Old Trafford ‘requires swift success’ and demands a firm foundation beforehand.
Following stints in charge of Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, Pochettino would arrive at Old Trafford as a far more seasoned tactician than the manager who arrived at Southampton thirteen years prior.
“He would enter the job enriched by vast experience and wisdom gained from both successes and setbacks,” Schneiderlin concluded. “The lessons he absorbed while managing high-profile stars and massive egos at Paris Saint-Germain will serve him exceptionally well.”
