Andriy Kanchelskis has admitted he would drop everything to become the sporting director at Manchester United if he was offered a return to the Premier League giants.
A two-time league champion under Sir Alex Ferguson in the 1990s, the Old Trafford icon would relish the chance to make a difference off the field with the Red Devils these days.
It is no secret that, once Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS finally complete their 25 per cent takeover, hiring a sporting director to ease the burden on Erik ten Hag’s shoulders will be one of the top priorities, Lee Congerton, Paul Mitchell, Andrea Berta and Dougie Freedman among those under consideration.
The Daily Mail believe that, as things stand, Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth is the most ‘likely’ appointment.
Kanchelskis is keen to throw his name into the frame too, though this feels like wishful thinking given that the 54-year-old lacks the top-level experience of an Ashworth or a Mitchell.
Manchester United looking for a sporting director
“There is a lot of talk about me working in England,” Kanchelskis tells Sport24. “I wanted and still want to work in the best league in the world! Who doesn’t want to work in the Premier League?! If there are offers from England, I will definitely consider them.
“There are always goals and dreams, but I strive for this. Perhaps, everything will come true!”
Kanchelskis, capped 36 times by Russia before the turn of the Century, worked most recently as a director for Kazakhstan outfit Tobol Kastanay. He has also worked as a head coach at a variety of clubs, and is now in discussions to take over at Muras United – rather than Manchester United – in Kyrgyzstan.
INEOS takeover is close
“It is unlikely that Manchester United will now call me to the position of head coach. But maybe I will take the position of a sporting director,” a hopeful Kanchelskis adds. “Working in Manchester is my greatest happiness!
“I helped make that great Ferguson team of the ‘90s. I would be very interested in (returning). But for now I am focused on negotiations with another United team – from Kyrgyzstan.
“If Manchester United comes up with an offer, any other team will not mind me going there. But now all thoughts are with Muras United. And, at the moment, I am already in Kyrgyzstan, and we are negotiating.”
Kanchelskis is also urging United to prioritise Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti over Graham Potter should the axe fall on Ten Hag.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/8HYTfxr