6 candidates to replace Jose Mourinho at Manchester United

Jose Mourinho has finally left Manchester United

The 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday - in which United were outclassed by their bitter rivals - was the final straw for the Old Trafford hierarchy. It seems Michael Carrick could be named as caretaker boss, but United will need someone with greater experience to carry them forward. Here's a look at six men who have been mentioned as possible replacements.

Zinedine Zidane

In many ways, the obvious choice, given his immediate availability. The fact Zidane managed to steer Real Madrid to three Champions League titles in just two-and-a-half years of management means that United are unlikely to find a candidate with a better CV. Clearly a popular figure with his players at the Bernabeu, the opportunity to play for Zidane would almost certainly go down well with United's squad. His appointment would make Old Trafford a more appealing destination for other high-profile players, too. Although what he's achieved in a short space of time in Madrid demonstrates that he's certainly no mug when it comes to management, there's also no denying that the calibre of the Real squad he inherited was markedly better than the one which would await him in Manchester. This, should United turn to him, would be a very different challenge to his last job.

Diego Simeone

There's much to admire about what Simeone has done while in charge of Atletico Madrid. Under his management, Atleti have broken the traditional La Liga duopoly held by Real and Barcelona while operating on a considerably smaller budget. Because of that, Simeone's name is always mentioned when it comes to big managerial vacancies. In truth though, it's difficult to see this one happening. Not only does the Argentine's loyalty to Atleti make it a non-starter, but it also seems his brand of football isn't too dissimilar from Mourinho's - placing plenty of emphasis on being a defensively solid unit. Although he's been successful with this playing style throughout his time as a manager, it's not the kind of free-flowing attacking football craved by many United supporters.

Mauricio Pochettino

Pochettino is yet to win a trophy in his managerial career, but it's clear to see why he's reportedly admired by senior figures on the United board - namely Sir Alex Ferguson. His time at Tottenham has seen the London club establish themselves as one of the most exciting sides in the country with a clear, high-intensity, attacking style to their play. Pochettino has considerably improved the players he has inherited and signed during his time at Spurs, something which may also appeal to United given the amount of talented youngsters they have on the fringes of the first team. Although he's likely to be one of the favourites to be United's next manager, prising him away from a Premier League rival may prove a difficult and expensive task: Pochettino signed a new contract with Tottenham in May that runs until 2023.

Antonio Conte

Along with Zidane, Conte is the only other top-level manager with a recent record of success who is currently unemployed. A three-time Serie A champion while Juventus manager and a Premier League winner in his first season at Chelsea, the manner of his departure from Stamford Bridge in the summer might well make him hungry to succeed with a second English club if United come calling. Conte is young and would be able to implement his own playing style at Old Trafford, but rumours of strained relationships with some of his former players might make United think twice if they're looking for a manager to bring a new sense of harmony to the dressing room.

Max Allegri

Allegri replaced Conte as manager of Juventus. Under him, the Turin club have continued to dominate Italian football and also reached two Champions League finals. The 51-year-old is tactically astute and his teams have played some of the finest attacking football in Europe in recent seasons. Although he might appear to be a good fit for the United job, trying to persuade him to leave Italy may prove problematic. Strongly linked with the Arsenal job after Arsene Wenger's departure earlier this year, Allegri has stated that he is settled at Juve. And with the club adding Cristiano Ronaldo to their squad, it's likely he'll want to stick around for a shot at winning the Champions League.

Roberto Martinez

Before anyone says anything, Andy Gray said this, not us. Things didn't exactly turn out too well the last time United appointed a former Everton boss, and so it's difficult to see Ed Woodward following Gray's advice on this one. Martinez spent three years at Goodison Park after winning the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic in 2013 (and getting them relegated in the same season). Despite a promising start on Merseyside - leading Everton to a fifth-place finish with a record points tally - things deteriorated with the fans calling for his dismissal towards the end of his final season. Although he guided Belgium to a respectable third-place finish at the World Cup in Russia, it's hard to imagine why Gray - or anyone - would think Martinez replacing Mourinho at Old Trafford would make sense.

Honourable mentions for...

Ed Woodward

Ed has been at Old Trafford for long enough to know how things work, or don't work. He helped the Glazers' acquisition of the club go through, as well as overseeing the appointments of each of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. If, as manager, he does the opposite of what he thinks is a good idea, he could be the club's most successful manager ever.

Jorge Mendes and Mino Raiola

Co-manager aren't really fashionable these days, what with managers' egos being so brittle and enormous that they cannot bear the thought of sharing power. Thankfully, super agents aren't egotistical at all, they love to share, why else would they take percentages of their clients' wages and endorsement deals? Manchester United have dealt a lot with agents since Alex Ferguson departed, and none more so than Jorge Mendes and Mino Raiola. So, with Jose gone, why not just cut out the middle man and simply appoint the two most influential agents in the world? Want a player? You got him. Afraid of having to cozy up to agents? Don't, you're cozying up to yourself. Worried about agents fees? Just factor them into the managers wages. It makes sense Manchester United. You know it does.