Manchester United have made 'first contact' with Antonio Conte amid claims of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's imminent sack, a new report from Italy has revealed. The former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager has emerged as the front-runner to suceed the Norwegian following the Red Devils' humiliatiing 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday and he is said to be keen on taking on the role.
A hat-trick by Mohamed Salah - the first of its kind at Old Trafford in the Premier League - and a goal apiece by Naby Keita and Diogo Jota condemned United to their biggest-ever defeat in a home meeting with Liverpool. The result has left a bitter taste in the mouth of fans and stakeholders at the club, adding to the series of poor performances and results they have managed in recent months. The pressure to hit a purple patch has reached an all-time high with many suggesting that a change in manager is the only way forward for the club.
Following the defeat, the club's manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stated that he was confident of being at the helm of affairs as he and his coaching staff explore avenues to fix the persistent problem. However, the past 24 hours have been telling with multiple reports from the UK revealing that the Manchester United heirarcy are looking to make a decision on Solskjaer's future in the coming days.
The indication is that the 48 years old Norwegian manager could be shown the exit door. Despite signing a new contract until 2024 with an option to extend to 2025, the claims suggest that the club has lost trust in his ability to lead the long-term project after picking up just one point from his last six Premier League appearances. According to Italian journalist Gianluca DiMarzio, United have made 'first contact' with Antoine Conte's camp and the former Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan manager is keen on accepting the offer to return to the Premier League.
Last season, Conte fired Inter Milan to their first Serie A title in a decade but vacated his position as the club's manager ahead of the new season after falling out with the club's board. He currently remains unassigned and per Di Marzio an official proposal will be submitted to the Italian as soon as a decision is made on Solskjaer's future.
Meanwhile, former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is said to be adamant to return to club management despite his availability. According to the Telegraph, he is in no rush to occupy any such role in the coming days despite being touted as a potential appointee for Manchester United.
