Cantona keen on United job

Club legend would be willing to succeed Ferguson

Last updated: 10th June 2008

Cantona keen on United job

Cantona: Would love United role

Maybe in the future, in a few years' time when (Sir Alex) Ferguson retires, yeah, why not? I'd love to (manage Manchester United)

Eric Cantona
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Also see

Eric Cantona admits he would 'love' the opportunity to manage Manchester United in a few years' time.

The Frenchman established himself as a United legend during four-and-a-half years at Old Trafford in the 1990s.

He won four Premier League titles during his time with the Red Devils and was the catalyst behind the club's domestic domination.

Cantona retired in 1997 and has since taken up acting, but concedes he would enjoy the chance to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as United boss.

Exciting

"Today I do exciting things and I am proving many things," Cantona told Sky Sports News.

"Today I can enjoy it even more, but maybe in the future, in a few years' time when Ferguson retires, yeah, why not? I'd love to."

When asked if there were any other clubs he would be willing to manage, Cantona replied: "No, Manchester United...or the England national team."

Cantona was one of the first overseas players to make a major impact in the Premier League, but is concerned about the current foreign influence in the English game.

He added: "I think it's important to have a minimum of English or British players in the squad and to still work on the young players.

"For the national team, it's very bad.

"To have the best chance to win things, you must have as much as possible with English players to have a big choice and work hard on young players."

Comments (16)

  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Alex Winter says...

I'd love to see Cantona as a Man Utd manager. He's French, he's an actor and he would just end up getting loads of touchline bans for slapping the officials. That combined with the fact he'd be terrible, well its just something that shouldn't be stopped. This is great news for Arsenal + Chelsea fans.

Posted 20:55 10th June 2008

Mr Heathy (Manchester United fan) says...

bill smith, call KING ERIC a plank once more,and i will give you a chinese burn................LEGEND.

Posted 19:35 10th June 2008

Steve Lloyd (Manchester United fan) says...

GET REAL! Totally unproven as a manager, and great players don't often make good coaches. Keane, Coppel, Robson, Ince, Strachan, Bruce...... only Hughesy looks anything above the premiership average. Loyalty is nice, but this club should only get the best, and can only have the best if it is to maintain it's current domination. Same reason that Giggs should now leave. What a dreadful season.

Posted 16:50 10th June 2008

Adeil Hussain (Manchester United fan) says...

I'm a bit 2 minded about this one, would Cantona make as good a manager as he was a player?! He has the attitude, charisma and ability to make the players believe in him and his ideas, on the other hand however he doesn't have any managerial experience. Maybe if he was to join the club over the next 3 years or so in a coaching capacity and as an understudy to Sir Alex, pick up a few tricks and than get the chance.

Posted 13:42 10th June 2008

Henry Gunnery (Manchester United fan) says...

Well Cantona is a legend but you have to ask would it be a good idea to see him in the hot seat? No, probably not, a great footballer but probably not a great manager!

Posted 12:28 10th June 2008

Peter Weddell (Manchester United fan) says...

Best news any United fan could ever receive at the minute, other than Ronaldo staying. If this happened it would be a dream come true, only Keane of Fergie's former diciples could be as good as King Eric.

Posted 12:17 10th June 2008

James Byford (West Ham United fan) says...

For me Cantona is the greatest player of my life time. Just his prescence on the pitch was always enough to boy the United team up. So I cannot see why he wouldn't be able to take that aura he carry's with him to the sidelines. I'm positive that he would demand the respect from his players that is needed to manage a top club. I now just hope that Fergie takes him under his wing, and passes on his knowledge, because he is such a character that i'm sure football fans on the whole would love to see him back in some capacity. (maybe with the exeption of one Crystal Palace fan.)

Posted 11:53 10th June 2008

Craig Bolton (Manchester United fan) says...

An absolute living legend!......... Eric would command complete respect from his players and staff. He learnt from the best in Sir Alex, and has been brought up on Uniteds attacking style and flair. Who better to continue the legacy than Fergie's original catalyst!

Posted 11:52 10th June 2008

Craig Sharpe (Manchester United fan) says...

I would love to see Cantona be our next manager cos he has that cutting edge and desire like fergie and no one would try messing bout with him either. He would keep United as the best in Europe and carry us on to greater things. He'd become an even more deserved Legend of United. Oooh Aahhh Cantona!

Posted 11:24 10th June 2008

Rishi Lad (Manchester United fan) says...

I think this would be a good option. Either Carlos or Cantona would be a good manager. They have both had influence from Sir Alex Ferguson and they both have the passion for the game. Plus cantona training techniques would help the new players alot (e.g. nani, anderson, park, etc etc.) I think there should be five british players in the 16 players that get named every game, that way foreigners wont rule. But the question is does not abroad players help the english team especially with their technical ability?

Posted 11:24 10th June 2008

Helen Cawdrey (Manchester United fan) says...

Brilliant, he's a legend as a player and could easily be a legend as manager!!! id love it!! xxx

Posted 11:21 10th June 2008

Richie Flannery (utd) (Manchester United fan) says...

Eric, give us a break - I know you're a legend but you can't possibly think you can have the UTD manager job. You don't even manage a team, unless you count beach football. I love you to bits, but the management trawler is not for you.

Posted 11:14 10th June 2008

Naisen Berraies (Manchester United fan) says...

Long Live KING Eric!!!!! I dont know about his credentials for being manager but i'd love him back at the club!!! True Legend!!!!!

Posted 11:10 10th June 2008

Bill Smith (Manchester United fan) says...

What a plank.... Does he think you can just apply like it's a supermarket job...? Does he have any experience...? Are Utd really going to appoint someone with no coaching background when they could probably appoint any manager on this earth...!!

Posted 10:30 10th June 2008

Arif Bandali (Manchester United fan) says...

Well he would be an excellent replacement for UTD. I hope he is working on his coaching badges. I dont think he would walk striaght, maybe he could work as No2 for SAF, and then slowly get into that no1 position. I think he would be an awesome manager, and well respected.

Posted 09:54 10th June 2008

Robert Newton (Reading fan) says...

I can't see this happening with no prior managerial experience. It would be great to see the legend back in the game though.

Posted 09:38 10th June 2008
  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private