Man United: Giggs in, Klopp out – who will replace Moyes? | News |

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published 22 April 2014

RYAN GIGGS will be in charge for Manchester United's final games of the season after David Moyes, the man selected to inherit Alex Ferguson's empire, was sacked after a disastrous ten-month reign at Old Trafford. Moyes was given his marching orders in a meeting with chief executive Ed Woodward on Tuesday morning, in the wake of a 2-0 defeat to Everton that leaves United, who last year won the Premier League title, in seventh place and on the verge of missing out on European football next season. United veteran Giggs will have four games to try and propel United up to sixth in the table which would earn the Red Devils a place in the Europa League next term and salvage something from United's wretched season. How he fares could determine who gets the job of taking over on a full-time basis. Here's how the leading candidates measure up. Ryan Giggs: 6/1The United winger spent 23 years playing under Ferguson and learned much from his mentor. At the age of 40 Giggs is still turning out for United but he is now more focused on his post-playing career and has been working towards his Pro-Licence, which would allow him to take over permanently. It is not an unlikely scenario, says Henry Winter of the Daily Telegraph. "At some point at Old Trafford, Giggs will be manager. It is his destiny," he writes. The caretaker appointment "gives the board an opportunity to have a look at Giggs in the role, to assess the reaction of fans and players". He would also bring a new approach. "The emphasis would be on attack, on adventure, on taking on opponents, on raging against the ticking clock and unflattering scorelines, on never giving up." Louis Van Gaal: 6/4The Netherlands boss has been installed as early favourite to take over at Old Trafford in the summer, and he certainly has the track record to deserve the job, having won silverware with every club he has managed in a 30-year career. The 62-year-old may be long in the tooth, but he is till in demand: he is thought to be mulling over offers from Tottenham and another club in Europe, aside from United. "He has long had an ambition to work in England and was quite at home with the idea of becoming United manager when he was named among the favourites to succeed Ferguson back in 2002," notes the Daily Mail. He would also bring a different approach to Moyes. "He is arrogant, and such arrogance will be required to occupy a role that has proved so uncomfortable for Moyes," says the Mail.

Jurgen Klopp: 8/1The Borussia Dortmund boss has been widely touted as the man to take over from Moyes, but despite his credentials and popularity with the bookies it looks unlikely. The heavy metal-lover, who has also been tipped as a long-term replacement for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, told The Guardian: "Man Utd is a great club and I feel very familiar with their wonderful fans. But my commitment to Borussia Dortmund and the people is not breakable." Indeed, Klopp may even end up raiding United for playmaker Shinji Kagawa if the Japanese decides to move on after a season of turmoil at Old Trafford. Diego Simeone: 16/1The Atletico Madrid manager has made quite a name for himself this season. His side are four points clear at the top of Spain's La Liga with just four games left in the season, and face Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final tonight. Earlier in the season he was picked out by the Daily Mirror as a possible candidate for the United job and described as one of Europe's "most impressive young coaches". Nothing has changed in the last few weeks. "Abrasive and bullish like he was as a player, Simeone commands respect and he instills his values into his charges - crafting teams that while technically gifted, would run through walls for him." Sir Alex Ferguson: 25/1His odds are the same as those for the likes of Pep Guardiola and Carlos Queiroz, so it's not out of the question. If Fergie did return it would certainly fire up the crowd and put a rocket under the dressing room. There is also a precedent. Moyes's failure mirrors that of Wilf McGuinness who replaced Matt Busby in 1969. When McGuinness was ousted after just 18 months Busby returned, but only for a season. How long would Ferguson last if he did come back? It's not as if he's given up on United since he retired, either. "Considering he's at every game anyway, a switch from the stands back to the dug-out doesn't seem inconceivable," says The Independent.