If Erik ten Hag’s time as manager comes to an end, Manchester United is reportedly thinking about starting negotiations again with a previous managing contender. The Dutchman is under growing pressure after a string of poor performances, which included a 3-0 loss to Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s ability to manage the club has been called into doubt in light of this loss as well as a 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League following the team’s two-goal deficit.
The Athletic claims that Manchester United’s management is taking a “long-term view” on Ten Hag’s future, which suggests that he might not be fired even if the team loses its upcoming Premier League game against Aston Villa. But during the summer, INEOS representatives and minority co-owner of Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had discussions with a number of possible Ten Hag successors.
Ten Hag’s job appeared safe following United’s FA Cup victory, but given the team’s current bad performance, the management might now go back and review those talks.
Thomas Tuchel, the former manager of Bayern Munich and Chelsea, was one possibility who was reportedly approached over the summer. Tuchel, however, turned down the offer due to his misgivings regarding Manchester United’s internal power dynamics.
The club might think about contacting Tuchel once more now that Ten Hag’s job is in peril because he is presently without a team. Even with Tuchel’s stellar managing background, it’s unclear if he would be open to reevaluating the position.
Gareth Southgate, the current manager of England, and Graham Potter, the former manager of Brighton and Chelsea, are apparently being considered as additional managing contenders. Both have a reputation for having excellent player development abilities, which Sir Jim Ratcliffe finds appealing.
The manager of Inter Milan, Simone Inzaghi, has also been connected to the position; however, after leading Inter to the Champions League final, he recently turned down a job offer from United. Thomas Frank, the manager of Brentford, has also been mentioned as a potential Ten Hag replacement. Frank is respected for his tactical style and capacity to enhance team performance.
In the meantime, the bookies continue to favor Manchester United assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy to succeed Ten Hag in the event that he is fired. Van Nistelrooy is a strong internal candidate due to his extensive familiarity of the team and his recent success at PSV Eindhoven.
In the end, United’s management will have to choose between seeking a more seasoned manager to lead the squad ahead or making a promotion from within.
