Tim Sherwood believes Cristiano Ronaldo will be the next Manchester United coach replacing his former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who has presided over a steady improvement in United’s fortunes since succeeding Jose Mourinho.
Ronaldo rejoined United after spending over a decade away during which he played for Spanish and Italian giants, in that order, Real Madrid and Juventus. Sherwood told Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5-A-Side bet on Arsenal v Spurs:
I can see Ronaldo as Manchester United manager within 18 months.
I think it’s OK that Ronaldo’s on the touchline and Ole’s going to have to accept it. If he brings him to his football club you’ve got to know what you’re bringing in.
It’s a completely different Ronaldo to the one who was at Old Trafford the first time around.
He knows how he’s needed and if he feels like he needs to stand next to the manager and give instructions then you’ve got o let him do that.
I’m not sure he’d be doing that with Jose Mourinho mind you, it would be very different with him still in charge, but you’d also have to ask Ronaldo why he feels it’s necessary to stand up and give some instruction in the first place.
We’ve seen him do it on the international stage, most recently at the Euros, barking out orders. That boy will be a manager 100%. I would have a bet on him being Manchester United manager in 18 months.
Sherwood also said Solskjaer will likely keep his job if Manchester United win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, any of those trophies, then Solskjaer keeps his job, but if they don’t win anything I think they’ve got a manager there in the making.
More: Metro.