Which TOP club will Europe's SUPER-BOSSES end up at???

Merry-go-round: How clubs across Europe are in a state of flux... and who could be in and out

The first few managerial dominos have fallen and, when the pack comes crashing down, the big clubs do not want to be left holding double-blank.

Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho has gone, Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola is going, while Carlo Ancelotti has already been snaffled by the Bavarians.

So what next for the heavyweights? Here, we look at the top clubs set to change manager in the next six months and the leading contenders for the hotseat...

Louis van Gaal is under mounting pressure at Manchester United after a winless run of six games.

Former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has already agreed to take over at Bayern Munich in the summer.

Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho has gone, Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola is going, while Carlo Ancelotti has already been snaffled by the Bavarians.

So what next for the heavyweights? Here, we look at the top clubs set to change manager in the next six months and the leading contenders for the hot seat...

Merry-go-round: How clubs across Europe are in a state of flux... and who could be in and out.

Louis van Gaal is under mounting pressure at Manchester United after a winless run of six games.

Former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has already agreed to take over at Bayern Munich in the summer



MANCHESTER UNITED

Louis van Gaal is almost certain to be spending his last Christmas at Old Trafford – it could even be his final week if they are beaten at Stoke on Boxing Day. So who is next?

The favourite… Jose Mourinho – United’s supporters want him and it appears he wants them. It all fits – the fallen giant and the wounded hero. Mourinho would galvanise United in the manner in which David Moyes and Van Gaal have failed to do so badly, and he guarantees titles. Why not get him in for the visit of Chelsea on December 28?

   

Sacked Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, pictured on Sunday, is favourite to become the next United manager.

Van Gaal signs autographs for Manchester United supporters but they are losing faith in the Dutchman

The alternative… Ryan Giggs – It is a romantic notion that Giggs will inherit the role and all will be good again. But look at Alan Shearer at Newcastle, it can also end in disaster. Giggs could well be advised to make some of his early managerial mistakes elsewhere before returning to Old Trafford.

The outsider… Gary Neville – Many would argue that Neville is perhaps better suited than Giggs to take over at his former club come the summer, especially after half a season with Valencia. We know his unrivalled merits as a pundit and it would be a surprise were he not to transfer that authority to the dugout.

The others… Pep Guardiola is third in the betting, but he is seemingly headed to the other half of Manchester.

Ryan Giggs, the current United assistant manager, could step up to the No 1 position if Van Gaal is axed.

Valencia manager Gary Neville is an outsider to take the Manchester United job if Van Gaal goes.

MANCHESTER CITY
Manuel Pellegrini might yet win the Premier League title – although that is less likely after Monday’s defeat at Arsenal – but the uninspiring Chilean will almost certainly be shown the door in May. So who is next?

The favourite… Pep Guardiola – With his Barcelona connections in the City hierarchy, it looks like Pep to the Etihad could be a done deal. It would be the superstar name the club needs to transform their fortunes in the Champions League, where they still look like poor relations compared to Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern.

The alternative… Alejandro Sabella – The former Argentina boss was reportedly sounded out about the position earlier this year. He is available but has no experience of managing in Europe.

The outsider… Mauricio Pochettino – Another Argentine, the Spurs boss is impressing at White Hart Lane and, if Guardiola did go elsewhere, City chiefs could view him as the best of the rest already managing in the Premier League.

The others… Patrick Vieira and Diego Simeone have both been mentioned.

Manuel Pellegrini could find himself out of a job in the summer even if Manchester City win the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season and is likely to end up at City.

CHELSEA
Guus Hiddink will again hold the Blues baby until the summer, but who is next?

The favourite… Diego Simeone – The Atletico Madrid boss is said to have admirers at boardroom level at Stamford Bridge and it is hard not to be impressed with the job he has done in Spain. He would bring an authority, discipline and a splash of the maverick magic that has turned Atletico into genuine rivals for La Liga’s big two.

The alternative… Guus Hiddink – It would be short-sighted to dismiss the merits of the Dutchman, who has a five-month trial period to stake his claim for the role. He won the FA Cup in 2009 and, should he return the same trophy – or even the Champions League – then the calls might intensify for him to remain.

The outsider… Pep Guardiola – Chelsea would no doubt love to lure Pep and the draw of London life should not be under-estimated.

The others… Antonio Conte did a fine job at Juventus and the Italy coach could be looking for a move to the Premier League after Euro 2016.

Guus Hiddink began work at Chelsea this week after taking charge of the club until the end of the season.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has worked wonders in Spain and has admirers in the Chelsea boardroom.

The former Argentina international would bring an authority, discipline and a splash of the maverick magic.

REAL MADRID
Rafa Benitez remains under pressure in Madrid (what manager doesn’t?) and a season without a trophy would probably seal his fate. So who is next?

The favourite… Zinedine Zidane – It is a similar scenario to Giggs, only Zidane would be inheriting one of the best squads in world football. He has been waiting in the shadows at Madrid since calling time on his playing career and it seems inevitable he will one day manage Los Blancos.

The alternative… Jose Mourinho – It ended quite sourly for Mourinho in the Spanish capital, but some of those he fell out with have now moved on. He went back to Chelsea for a second bite, so why not Real?

The outsider… Joachim Low – The World Cup-winning Germany boss refuses to rule out a return to club management and, given his C.V, he would be entitled to go straight in at the top with the Spanish giants.

The others… Laurent Blanc and Mauricio Pochettino are interesting names further down the field of candidates.

Zinedine Zidane could step up from Castilla boss to fill Rafa Benitez's shoes if Real Madrid sack the Spaniard.

Mourinho has been tipped for a return to the Santiago Bernabeu after a three-year spell at Real Madrid.

Former Liverpool boss Benitez's start at Real Madrid has been anything but smooth and is under pressure

VERDICT: By the start of next season we expect to see Jose at United, Pep at City, Simeone at Stamford Bridge and Zidane starting his managerial career at the Bernabeu. And Arsene Wenger will still be in charge of Arsenal...

AND WHAT ABOUT THESE PREMIER LEAGUE BOSSES LOOKING FOR WORK...

BRENDAN RODGERS
The Northern Irishman has been out of work since being sacked by Liverpool in October. Rodgers held talks last month over a lucrative contract with a Qatari club and turned down a return to Swansea.

DAVID MOYES

The former Manchester United manager is keen to return to management following his sacking from Real Sociedad earlier this season. He also ruled himself out of the vacant Swansea post.

GARRY MONK

Monk was axed by Swansea after a dismal run that saw them win once in 11 Premier League games to leave to club in a relegation battle. Monk was Swansea through and through having spent 11 years as player and manager.

HARRY REDKNAPP

The wily old boss has not ruled out a return to management since he quit Queens Park Rangers in February this year after requiring surgery on his knee.

TIM SHERWOOD

It is hard to see where Sherwood's next job will come from having failed at Aston Villa. The former Tottenham boss may have to move lower down the leagues to earn his next Premier League job.

Credits: Mail online

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