JAMIE REDKNAPP claim that he was “baffled” Manchester United hadn’t hired Andoni Iraola backfired after Sky Sports showed his torrid recent form at Bournemouth.
United are on the lookout for a new boss after sacking Ruben Amorim this week, with ex-coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the leading candidate to take over as a caretaker manager.
Former midfielder Darren Fletcher took the reins for United’s 2-2 draw at Burnley but is not expected to continue in the role long term.
And Redknapp gave his pick for Amorim’s successor while speaking to Sky Sports as he vouched for Cherries boss Iraola.
But behind him on the screen Sky displayed Iraola’s rotten run of 11 games without a win – before he finally ended it by beating Tottenham 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Redknapp said: “Adoni Iraola, I’m such a big fan of his. I’ve got no doubt, he’s one of the best most elite managers in world football.
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“Manchester United are talking about getting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back as an interim. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t try and get him, it absolutely baffles me.
“Why not now? Bournemouth’s my former club. I don’t want to see him leave Bournemouth because he’s done such a good job.
Redknapp did acknowledge Bournemouth’s poor form but said Iraola was unlucky with injuries and said if they were second, United would “go all out for him”.
The pundit continued: “He was second in the league earlier this season, lost three out of his back four, they’ve had a really difficult run with injuries.”
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“He’s an elite manager that I cannot understand why Manchester United wouldn’t go for him. Because if he was second, they’d go all out for him.
“But because he’s had this run, it’s probably cost him a big opportunity at Manchester United but they should look beyond that.”
Iraola has been linked with a number of top jobs after his impressive work at Bournemouth, having finished ninth last season with a depleted squad.
But he has not been mentioned among the main contenders to become the next United boss.
Former United player Michael Carrick is another name who is in contention for the caretaker position.
However, United supporters made it clear Solskjaer was the man they wanted in charge after chanting his name at Turf Moor.
They also sung Carrick’s name and Fletcher admitted after the game he was still in the dark over how long he’d be in the role – but confirmed he’d lead the side for their FA Cup clash against Brighton.
Fletcher said: “They have informed me they would like me to take the team on Sunday.
“There was a feeling that might be the case on Monday, but we wanted to focus on Burnley. I am tasked with leading the team on Sunday, so all my focus and energy goes on that now.”
