Stuart Mathieson: Pep Guardiola is not the man to follow Sir Alex Ferguson
Former Barca coach Pep Guardiola Anyone remember Klaus Toppmoller? Well, if Sir Alex Ferguson had retired as planned in 2002, he was the man being touted as his successor at Old Trafford.
The German had made a big impression at Bayer Leverkusen and was the front runner to follow Fergie, who had announced on the eve of the 2001 season that he was going to call it a day at the end of the campaign.
And by the time Fergie had made his U-turn, Leverkusen were making a charge in the Bundesliga, Champions League and German Cup.
In the end, Toppmoller missed out on claiming the biggest prize in European football, losing that years final at Hampden Park to a Zinedine Zidane winner for Real Madrid.
But Toppmoller was named German coach of the year for winning the German Cup, finishing second in the Bundesliga and being runner-up in the Champions League. Nine months later he was sacked.
Predicting Fergies successor is a minefield as Toppmollers fall from grace proves.
He is not alone among the list of candidates for Fergies replacement.
Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce and Roy Keane are among former United players whove gone into management and at one time or another been linked with a move to Old Trafford. All have dropped off the list.
Obviously, as the years roll by the guessing game intensifies.
Ferguson has always insisted his health would be the number one consideration in assessing when to quit.
His recent scare, when he was admitted to a Glasgow hospital because of a nosebleed that wouldnt stop, has heightened speculation he could soon quit.
Wigan chairman and Fergies pal Dave Whelan reckons United will have a managerial vacancy next summer.
But another close friend of the Reds boss has b! een quot ed over the weekend saying he has no plans to vacate the hot seat.
Nevertheless, a number of candidates with designs on taking on the biggest job in football when Ferguson does retire must now be manoeuvring themselves in readiness to be in pole position when the green light goes on to signal the start of the race.
Currently Pep Guardiola is among the leaders. The Barcelona coach certainly has the CV to impress Uniteds hierarchy, wholl demand a Champions League pedigree to go alongside any other qualities.
The 41-year-old won 14 pieces of silverware for the Catalan club in four years at the helm.
He has been the scourge of United in two Champions Leagues finals in Rome and at Wembley.
It would be too simplistic and disrespectful to dismiss his haul by claiming anyone could sweep the board when youve got Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta in your side.
Though Roman Abramovich has ideas about luring him to Chelsea, the Spaniard plans to move to New York for a year to recharge his batteries having quit Barcelona.
The reason behind Guardiolas exit was the pressure of four years at the top with Barca. If he thinks that was draining, what would he make of life at Old Trafford as Fergies successor?
Does that suggest a man who could hack the job long-term?
I will receive all calls with pleasure but for the next months I have to recharge my batteries and my mind. I will be ready (to return) if one club wants me and seduces me, said Guardiola.
Someone who needs to recharge his batteries after just four years may not be the person the Reds are looking for.
Ole Solskjaer is to the present day what Robson, Bruce and Keane were in their eras.
Like them, he is an Old Trafford legend who has impressed in his early years as a boss and looks to have the potential to one day sit in the Old Trafford dug out.
Solskjaers title success in his first season at Molde has pushed! him to the forefront in a new breed of young managers.
The 39-year-olds efforts impressed Aston Villa but, after a flying visit to speak to owner Randy Lerner, he ruled himself out of the race for family reasons.
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But maybe canny Ole had a vision for the future.
He has always regimentally plotted his career.
He didnt want to come to England until he felt he was ready and was 23 when he moved to the Reds.
He rightly believed a joint role as United reserve team manager was the best first step on the coaching ladder when he quit playing.
Molde was then the right move as he became a number one.
Solskjaer wont be swayed into thinking one triumphant year as the prodigal son at the Norwegian club is a solid enough base to tackle a job like Villa.
If hed fallen flat in the Midlands, that would have been him out of the running for the Old Trafford job that he admits would be one hed like on his CV.
Another year or two with Molde and the time might just be right for him.
We always come back then to Jose Mourinho.
The 49-year-old has the ego and pedigree to suggest hed soak up the phenomenal pressure that will come the way of Fergies successor.
Many baulked that the style of football his Chelsea side played wouldnt be welcomed by an Old Trafford support who have wallowed in Fergies attacking nature for the last 25 years.
Bu! t the tw o-time Champions League winner has just beaten Barca to win La Liga with Real scoring 121 goals in 38 matches.
The stat alone suggests he wont stifle natural attacking instincts if he has the tools to work with.
Hes just signed a contract extension until 2016 at the Bernabeu but those infamous bits of paper havent stood in the way of managerial moves in the past.
The race is on again.
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The German had made a big impression at Bayer Leverkusen and was the front runner to follow Fergie, who had announced on the eve of the 2001 season that he was going to call it a day at the end of the campaign.
And by the time Fergie had made his U-turn, Leverkusen were making a charge in the Bundesliga, Champions League and German Cup.
In the end, Toppmoller missed out on claiming the biggest prize in European football, losing that years final at Hampden Park to a Zinedine Zidane winner for Real Madrid.
But Toppmoller was named German coach of the year for winning the German Cup, finishing second in the Bundesliga and being runner-up in the Champions League. Nine months later he was sacked.
Predicting Fergies successor is a minefield as Toppmollers fall from grace proves.
He is not alone among the list of candidates for Fergies replacement.
Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce and Roy Keane are among former United players whove gone into management and at one time or another been linked with a move to Old Trafford. All have dropped off the list.
Obviously, as the years roll by the guessing game intensifies.
Ferguson has always insisted his health would be the number one consideration in assessing when to quit.
His recent scare, when he was admitted to a Glasgow hospital because of a nosebleed that wouldnt stop, has heightened speculation he could soon quit.
Wigan chairman and Fergies pal Dave Whelan reckons United will have a managerial vacancy next summer.
But another close friend of the Reds boss has b! een quot ed over the weekend saying he has no plans to vacate the hot seat.
Nevertheless, a number of candidates with designs on taking on the biggest job in football when Ferguson does retire must now be manoeuvring themselves in readiness to be in pole position when the green light goes on to signal the start of the race.
Currently Pep Guardiola is among the leaders. The Barcelona coach certainly has the CV to impress Uniteds hierarchy, wholl demand a Champions League pedigree to go alongside any other qualities.
The 41-year-old won 14 pieces of silverware for the Catalan club in four years at the helm.
He has been the scourge of United in two Champions Leagues finals in Rome and at Wembley.
It would be too simplistic and disrespectful to dismiss his haul by claiming anyone could sweep the board when youve got Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta in your side.
Though Roman Abramovich has ideas about luring him to Chelsea, the Spaniard plans to move to New York for a year to recharge his batteries having quit Barcelona.
The reason behind Guardiolas exit was the pressure of four years at the top with Barca. If he thinks that was draining, what would he make of life at Old Trafford as Fergies successor?
Does that suggest a man who could hack the job long-term?
I will receive all calls with pleasure but for the next months I have to recharge my batteries and my mind. I will be ready (to return) if one club wants me and seduces me, said Guardiola.
Someone who needs to recharge his batteries after just four years may not be the person the Reds are looking for.
Ole Solskjaer is to the present day what Robson, Bruce and Keane were in their eras.
Like them, he is an Old Trafford legend who has impressed in his early years as a boss and looks to have the potential to one day sit in the Old Trafford dug out.
Solskjaers title success in his first season at Molde has pushed! him to the forefront in a new breed of young managers.
The 39-year-olds efforts impressed Aston Villa but, after a flying visit to speak to owner Randy Lerner, he ruled himself out of the race for family reasons.
Andy Cole: Title woe will make Manchester United stronger
Manchester United target Nick Powell fires Crewe up
But maybe canny Ole had a vision for the future.
He has always regimentally plotted his career.
He didnt want to come to England until he felt he was ready and was 23 when he moved to the Reds.
He rightly believed a joint role as United reserve team manager was the best first step on the coaching ladder when he quit playing.
Molde was then the right move as he became a number one.
Solskjaer wont be swayed into thinking one triumphant year as the prodigal son at the Norwegian club is a solid enough base to tackle a job like Villa.
If hed fallen flat in the Midlands, that would have been him out of the running for the Old Trafford job that he admits would be one hed like on his CV.
Another year or two with Molde and the time might just be right for him.
We always come back then to Jose Mourinho.
The 49-year-old has the ego and pedigree to suggest hed soak up the phenomenal pressure that will come the way of Fergies successor.
Many baulked that the style of football his Chelsea side played wouldnt be welcomed by an Old Trafford support who have wallowed in Fergies attacking nature for the last 25 years.
Bu! t the tw o-time Champions League winner has just beaten Barca to win La Liga with Real scoring 121 goals in 38 matches.
The stat alone suggests he wont stifle natural attacking instincts if he has the tools to work with.
Hes just signed a contract extension until 2016 at the Bernabeu but those infamous bits of paper havent stood in the way of managerial moves in the past.
The race is on again.
Tweet
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