Mauricio Pochettino's 'baffling' exit from Chelsea could offer Man United a way out of the Erik ten Hag darkness, Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman argue on It's All Kicking Off!

The Argentine left by mutual consent on Tuesday after 11 months in the role Pochettino was previously considered by United while at PSG two years agoHave Chelsea offered Manchester United a way out of the Erik ten Hag darkness through Mauricio Pochettino's exit? - Listen to the It's All Kicking Off! Podcast

Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman have discussed exactly why Chelsea might have offered Manchester United a way out of their hunt for a new head coach with the departure of Blues' head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

The 52-year-old lasted just 11 months at Stamford Bridge, and despite a strong end to the campaign which saw Chelsea back in the European places after last year's dismal 12th-place finish, the former Tottenham manager was despatched on Tuesday.

But Man United could yet see the Argentine walk straight back into a Premier League job should minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe choose to dismiss current manager Erik ten Hag, with Sutton and Ladyman revealing that the club had come close to appointing Pochettino in the past on Mail Sport's It's All Kicking Off podcast.

Briefly agreeing with Ladyman that Chelsea's decision was 'baffling but not surprising', Sutton pointed out that Man United potential new manager search had a 'different angle' in light of Pochettino's availability.

Ladyman suggested that Pochettino had 'not failed in any way, shape or form' in west London, and wondered whether two years after the club hierarchy passed him over in favour of Ten Hag, the Red Devils might reconsider due to his reputation of being a 'clever coach playing energetic football'.

Listen to the latest episode of It's All Kicking Off in full below. 

Mauricio Pochettino left Chelsea by mutual agreement after just 11 months as manager

A question mark remains over whether Erik ten Hag will continue on at Man United next term

Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) is set to make the final decision in the wake of the club's FA Cup Final