Mauricio Pochettino and Brendan Rodgers are Manchester United's two leading candidates to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and would be prepared to take the job now, rather than at the end of the season, if the club makes an approach.
The Old Trafford club sacked Solskjaer on Sunday following a poor run of results and performances and have temporarily placed Michael Carrick in charge as a caretaker boss. United's initial plan is to make an interim appointment, before a permanent hire at the end of the season.
Sources have confirmed to 90min that United decided on the interim plan to provide time and flexibility as they search for a new permanent successor to take the club on, but they will jump to the latter stage if one of their preferred candidates is available sooner.
As it stands, Rodgers has the most support within the United hierarchy, although Pochettino is well liked by the Glazer family and legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who has developed a personal relationship with the Argentine in recent years.
Both Rodgers, who has impressed at Leicester since returning to the Premier League, or Pochettino, who is under contract at PSG until 2023, would accept the job now if it is offered. However, United would need to make the first move and table an official approach.
As far as the club's stance on an interim is concerned, 90min understands that United are prepared to give Carrick a fair chance to improve results over the next week or two. They are also not against leaving him and Mike Phelan in charge for longer if there is an upturn during that time.
Ex-United captain Gary Neville has already publicly backed Pochettino to make the switch, suggesting that the Red Devils would be a more attractive project for him than PSG currently are.
“I think Mauricio Pochettino - although he'd never say it - would leave to come to Man United on a five-year deal tomorrow,” Neville told Sky Sports.
"He'd look at that group of players, he'd look at the club and he'd realise he'd probably be able to achieve more than he wants at Man United in terms of a project.
“At PSG you are on season by season, 'you've got to win the Champions League or you're out'- type of model. I don't think that suits Pochettino. I think he would absolutely come to Man Utd on a five-year deal, with backing behind him."
Source : 90min