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Poll: Who do you prefer to be Sir Alex Ferguson's successor?

We don't know when, but the day is soon coming when Sir Alex Ferguson will retire. Who do you want to succeed him at Manchester United?

Jasper Juinen

According to this report by The Sun (Yes, I know it's the The Sun...), Pep Guardiola is keen on snubbing Chelsea FC next summer and he's apparently quite interested in succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. This is according to 'a source close to Guardiola':

"The whole history of Manchester United, his relationship with Sir Alex and the way the club is run appeals to Pep. Right now I'd be astonished if he went to Chelsea. He really wants to wait for the United job even if it means extending his time out of the game."

The validity of this report can obviously be questioned. That's besides the point, though, of this post. I merely want to gauge where United fans are at in regards to who they prefer to be the legendary manager's successor when he finally decides to retire. I figure this poll could provide a decent pulse on the matter.

Fergie is meticulous and he obviously has great love for the club. He will likely have great input as to who his successor will be. He has established very good relationships with the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, and David Moyes. United -- and Ferguson himself -- have scouted a plethora of Borussia Dortmund players and therefore, the club is probably quite familiar with the great work Jurgen Klopp has done there. One could also point to the impressive work of the baby-faced assassin -- Ole Gunnar Solksjaer -- at Norwegian side Molde. There are probably a handful of other managers to consider as well.

Anyway, go ahead and vote for your preference as Fergie's successor. Feel free to offer your opinion further in the comments sections. Here's a brief 'Pros and Cons' for each candidate in the poll:

PEP GUARDIOLA

Pros: He built arguably the greatest football team in the history of the sport and his Barcelona side twice defeated United in Champions League finals. He is a philosopher, a brilliant tactician, and a man of conviction.

Cons: The obvious question is whether he can achieve success away from Barcelona because of their incredibly unique identity.

JOSE MOURINHO

Pros: He's a flat-out winner and his ego is big enough to not be intimidated about being the successor to the greatest manager in the history of football. He could be a short-term solution as well to keep the trophies coming before a long-term solution is eventually found.

Cons: He's contentious, egotistical, and his behavior is unpredictable. He likely wouldn't stay long either (although that could be a 'Pro' as well as just mentioned).

DAVID MOYES

Pros: The Scotsman is an overachiever and he's achieved decent success at Everton with a limited budget. He, too, is incredibly meticulous and he's well respected in the game.

Cons: The main criticism of Moyes is that he's too reactive and bases his tactics on the opposition. At a big club like United, could he diversify his approach and find a way to impose an attacking style on opponents?

JURGEN KLOPP

Pros: The German has established a bold and distinctive approach at Borussia Dortmund (BVD). His side is one of the top sides in Europe at the moment and they are exciting as well. Klopp, too, is incredibly studious and he reportedly gets personally involved in every detail of training sessions.

Cons: Klopp has no experience outside of Germany as he's only managed at Mainz '05 and BVD. Could he adapt to English football (his side did dominate Manchester City though in Champions League)? He's molded a young team, as well, at Dortmund -- could he handle bigger egos and mold a similar cohesion at a big club like United?

OLE GUNNAR SOLKSJAER

Pros: The 39-year-old has impressively won back-to-back titles at Molde -- the first title was the club's first in their 100-year-old history at the time -- and this is the first managerial job he's had. Solksjaer is obviously quite familiar with the ethos of United and he even managed the Reserves from 2008-11. Ferguson had always been impressed by the Norwegian's astute tactical mind when he was a player.

Cons: Quite simply, he's inexperienced and it would be a huge gamble to have him succeed Ferguson. If he continues to achieve success though, perhaps he's would be a strong candidate down the road to succeed the successor to Ferguson.

The whole history of Manchester United, his relationship with Sir Alex and the way the club is run appeals to Pep.

"Right now I’d be astonished if he went to Chelsea. He really wants to wait for the United job even if it means extending his time out of the game."



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4663405/Pep-Guardiola-wants-Man-Utd-manager-job.html#ixzz2DGVk88NR

The whole history of Manchester United, his relationship with Sir Alex and the way the club is run appeals to Pep.

"Right now I’d be astonished if he went to Chelsea. He really wants to wait for the United job even if it means extending his time out of the game."



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4663405/Pep-Guardiola-wants-Man-Utd-manager-job.html#ixzz2DGVk88NR