World Cup-winning manager rejected United - reports

Now, this is interesting. According to Spanish sports daily AS, Vicente del Bosque, current manager of the Spanish national team and former manager of Real Madrid, turned down the chance to take over from David Moyes in April.

The report — here in Spanish; here summarised in English — claims that United were prepared to offer Del Bosque 20 million EURO over two seasons, but were rejected before they could even slam their giant wodge of cash on the table. Del Bosque, so the story goes, has no intention of breaking his contract with the Spanish Football Federation, which keeps him in post until after Euro 2016. At which point he intends to retire.

So that's Louis van Gaal, Carlo Ancelotti and now possibly Del Bosque; a veritable who's who of ageing, trophy-laden elite European coaches. And a comprehensive selection that, while differing individually, all look nothing like David Moyes. One thing looks certain: United had no intention of making the same mistake again.

Update: Another possibility ...

It could, of course, just be trouble-making. Del Bosque's Spain play Van Gaal's Netherlands in their first WC group game on June 13.

— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonMEN) May 28, 2014