Andoni Iraola is hot property as City and United prepare to battle for his signature | OneFootball

Manchester United did not even put up a fight, as they succumbed 0-3 to Manchester City in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

Ruben Amorim inexplicably decided to adopt a safety-first approach despite City’s recent poor form, and Pep Guardiola’s side ended up dominating at the Etihad.

The loss heaps further pressure on the United head coach, and despite ex-players urging him to tweak his system, the ex-Sporting CP boss remains as adamant as ever.

And for now, INEOS also seem to want to continue backing him. But The Independent’s Miguel Delaney has claimed that the club are looking at alternatives.

Amorim has disappointed big time

Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola tops that list, with the work the Spaniard has done at the Cherries impressing the INEOS hierarchy.

However, it will not be easy for the Red Devils to get their man as City also seem to eyeing the former Athletic Club defender.

City feel the 43-year-old is the perfect successor for Guardiola, and are in pole position to swoop should their current boss finally call it quits.

Interestingly, Amorim was once looked at as the former Barcelona boss’ ideal replacement, but his United stint has certainly damaged that reputation.

The only possible downside would be the fact that Andoni Iraola plays a similar style of football as Amorim. But he is much more open to tweaks as compared to the Portuguese tactician.

“Manchester United, naturally enough, are one of many clubs that like Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola. If they appointed him, however, you’d be returning to the same problem.

Race on for Iraola

“Do they really have the players for his approach? Because, again, the issue would be appointing a manager for who he is rather than what his ideology is. Iraola is obviously brilliant and has shown his own supreme adaptability in how Bournemouth have picked up where they left off without many of last season’s best performers.

“But that’s because Bournemouth, like Brighton, are confident they can sell players and bring in successors who suit the approach. Everyone fits the model. Another lesson for United. And maybe another potential irony.

“United moved for Amorim so swiftly partly because they felt City could see him as a future replacement for Pep Guardiola. Now, Iraola is understood to be top of the list at City.”

INEOS have repeated the same mistake as the Glazers before them, hiring a manager and then trying to mould the squad in his image instead of preparing a solid foundation.

Amorim looks like he will pay with his job. The 20-time English league champions’ next assignment is against Chelsea at Old Trafford. Another tough one.

Feature image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

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