#2 Nuno Espirito Santo
Nuno Espirito Santo has captured the world’s imagination courtesy his exploits with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Making a return to the top-flight after a six-year hiatus, the Wolves currently find themselves 7th on the table.
Throughout the season, Nuno has employed a high-octane attacking style of football. Playing with a back three, his team has given a good account of itself when paired up against the league’s greatest gun-slingers.
Wolves drew away to Manchester United and Arsenal whereas they were able to put Manchester City under pressure at the Molineux. Yet, their biggest achievement was their home victory against Chelsea.
Despite falling a goal behind, they stuck to their guns and produced a stirring comeback. However, the most impressive aspect about the comeback was the team’s adherence to the manager’s principles of applying pressure and never taking a step backwards.
Having achieved so much with a decent set of players, it is scary to think what he might go on to conquer when provided with a better group of footballers.
Like Blanc, Nuno would also bring back the offensive football that United fans have been crying out for. Additionally, the Portuguese is a vibrant figure on the touchline and would help extinguish the negativity that has engulfed Old Trafford recently.
With these traits, Nuno managing a top club is certainly on the horizon. Thus, United should take a brave call and bet on the Portuguese to help rebuild their empire. At 44 years of age, he could be a long-term option.
However, it would be extremely courageous on United’s part to appoint the Portuguese as their manager, considering his lack of big-club experience and having gone down that road with a certain David Moyes.
Yet, the evidence suggests that the gamble could well be worthwhile. Not many knew Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger when they arrived on these shores. And it’s safe to say that those decisions worked out rather well.
Though it is highly ludicrous to compare Nuno to the legendary pair, his attributes surely make him a great fit for United.
With the summer still months away, United would be extremely careless if they fail to even consider the Portuguese.