Leonardo Jardim has been sacked at AS Monaco, with former player and pundit Thierry Henry appointed to succeed him.
So would Jardim be a good replacement for ‘The Special One’? Here are some Pros and Cons of Leonardo Jardim at Manchester United.
Pros and Cons of Leonardo Jardim at Manchester United
Pros
Attacking Football
At AS Monaco, Jardim has presided over 438 goals in all competitions in his four-season spell in the Principality. His teams have always played with attacking flair with notable players like Kylian Mbappe, Anthony Martial and Bernardo Silva
They won Ligue 1 in 2016/17 season and also reached the semi-finals of Champions League, losing out to Juventus.
Fans use the stick of boring and negative football to beat Mourinho with, but not Jardim.
His team that won the league were a joy to watch with a youthful attacking side with great flair, which is something the Old Trafford faithful would lap up.
Youth
A huge part of United’s DNA is playing young players, stemming from the ‘Busby Babes’ to the ‘Class of 92’.
Mourinho has not promoted many youth players, although he has argued this more than once, whereas Monaco has proved a conveyor belt of talent for most of Europe’s elite. Jardim’s sides have been shop windows for many talented youngsters to develop.
A lot of players like Martia and Mbappe are proof that he will play a player regardless of age if he is good enough.
Coaching/Man Management
Leonardo Jardim has had his best players consistently sold on in his stay in Monaco year upon year.
With the model that Monaco use it means that he didn’t have complete control over player acquisitions or sales.
Jardim is a good tactician and will adapt to the players he has so this is a big plus for United fans.
He revitalised Radamel Falcao after his disaster spell in England and turned him back into one of Europe’s most feared marksmen.
This United squad has talent; but maybe it might benefit someone who could utilise what he has and mould this squad into a winning squad.
Jardim could be the man to unlock Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial who played for him at Monaco before his move.
This would appeal to the board and the fans; as many believe these two are the players to build around in future.
In a league of top managers like Guardiola, Klopp, Sarri and Pochettino. United need a new man in charge to move with these managers and the changes they have brought in.
He has European experience as he has got to the Champions League semi-final, beating Pep Guardiola’s City along the way.
This is a bonus for United who don’t just want to win domestically, they want to win in Europe too.
Cons
Current Position
One massive flaw in Jardim’s CV is his current position, as nobody is about to lose their job if they are doing it well.
Monaco’s form both domestically and in Europe has been a big problem, with one win all season.
Back-to-back defeats in their Champions League group mean they could be out of all European football by December.
United’s current manager was hired after a series of bad results and performances at Chelsea.
So even though Jardim might be available, the question is does Ed Woodward make the same decision on a sacked Portuguese manager who might be a good candidate for the current role?
Although this is a con, there may be one little ray of light to this con – Jurgen Klopp had Dortmund in the relegation zone before he left, now he is in the title picture three years later.
Experience/Club Model
Jardim has managed AS Monaco, Olympiakos and Sporting Lisbon but he has not managed an elite club in Europe.
This would be an issue for the Glazer family as they might be reluctant to give him the keys to their club.
This would be a huge risk if it doesn’t work out as this might result in the club falling further behind.
If that happens then the Glazers might not risk their business on a man with one League title win on his CV.
The club model at Monaco was with a Director of Football and United are currently looking to hire one or a Technical Director by the end of the year according to reports.
So if they do hire him it would be no change for him. But, would he have a say on player recruitment or just be a coach?
However, another question is can he handle the pressure at Manchester United and all that entails? PSG are the dominant team in France, not Monaco.
At United, he will be expected to win every game and with style playing in the Busby and Ferguson way.
But can he handle the ego’s in the squad already? The Monaco players were mostly all unknown players or players on their way up, not established stars.
Current Manager/Ed Woodward
A big problem in appointing Jardim is that United have a manager in Jose Mourinho; so as long as he is there then there is no vacancy for Jardim to take.
Ed Woodward doesn’t want to sack Jose as he will have to explain to the Glazers why he has had to sack another manager.
Also, Woodward will have to explain why he has presided over three managers who haven’t seen out their contracts.
As well, if rumours are to be believed, United would have to pay Mourinho around £26 million if he terminates his employment.
So Leonardo Jardim has his good and bad points but I think he will be a leading candidate if there becomes a vacancy at Old Trafford.
So now it’s up to Ed Woodward and the board to make the next move.
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