11 potential Erik ten Hag replacements

Manchester United haven’t had the perfect of seasons, however with delight restored due to an FA Cup remaining victory over neighbours Man Metropolis, they’ll head into subsequent time period with a bit extra optimism now that their place within the Europa League is assured and their trophy cupboard good points a brand new piece of silverware.

However the previous couple of months have seen Erik ten Hag’s tenure unravel, as his aspect have been unable to kick on from final yr’s third-place end behind Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal. Whereas they have been 9 factors off the highest two final yr, they ended the most recent Premier League marketing campaign 31 factors off in eighth.

With defeats in opposition to the likes of Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and FC Copenhagen final time period a few of their most embarrassing in recent times, the scrutiny over this United crew and their supervisor has been at its most intense through the Dutchman’s tenure. With that in thoughts, it will not be implausible to recommend that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers are eager about making a change over the summer season.

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Ten Hag has even been linked with the vacant position at Bayern Munich, making the prospect of a brand new man taking on at Outdated Trafford turns into very lifelike certainly.

So who might succeed Ten Hag ought to the powers that be at United (or Bayern) make the decision? Listed here are 11 candidates who’ve been linked with assuming the Outdated Trafford scorching seat, together with one former participant and one other who’s fairly conversant in the calls for of the job…

1

Kieran McKenna

Ipswich City

Kieran McKenna has gone from energy to energy since leaving his position as a first-team coach at Manchester United by steering Ipswich City from League One to the Premier League in double-quick time.

Due to this fact, he’ll return to Outdated Trafford in a method or one other over the approaching 12 months, however ditching the Tractor Boys at this juncture could be a seismic departure for these in Suffolk.

However with the United scorching seat wanting like a poisoned chalice at occasions, maybe turning to one among their very own is the best way to go.

That mentioned, it seems as if he’s set to commit his future to the newly promoted aspect, which would depart the Crimson Devils to focus on another person, although he stays the bookies’ favorite for the second.

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2

Mauricio Pochettino

Free agent (final job: Chelsea)

Mauricio Pochettino has skyrocketed up these rankings since parting methods with Chelsea final week. Ought to United be pressured to look elsewhere if McKenna indicators a brand new deal at Ipswich, the previous Spurs boss might change into their No 1 goal.

Beforehand invested in a long-term venture at Stamford Bridge, the Outdated Trafford emptiness may very well be precisely what the Argentinian is searching for – notably after stating his intention to get straight again into soccer after his west London exit.

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3

Thomas Tuchel

Bayern Munich

Outgoing Bayern Munich supervisor Thomas Tuchel might but return to the Premier League within the close to future.

Free to make his subsequent transfer as soon as the season ends, the German has emerged as a main candidate to change into the most recent charged with securing United’s first Premier League title for the reason that departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Issues ended on a bitter word with Chelsea, however he received the Champions League throughout his whirlwind tenure, so maybe he’d be value a shot for United.

4

Roberto De Zerbi

Free agent (final job: Brighton & Hove Albion)

Roberto De Zerbi has gained many plaudits throughout his time at Brighton & Hove Albion, having beforehand impressed with Sassuolo in Italy’s Serie A.

His capability to get essentially the most out of his gamers and punch above his weight would make him an interesting proposition for a lot of golf equipment, and has maybe earned a shot at turning round a United aspect which have flattered to deceive all too typically in recent times.

Whether or not his Brighton exit influences his possibilities of succeeding Ten Hag at Outdated Trafford stays to be seen, however after showing to have his variations with the house owners on the south coast, it might appear unlikely {that a} relationship between himself, Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers may very well be a match.

However with Premier League expertise below his belt and having steered Brighton to the Europa League with sources dwarfed by these at United, he could inherit quite a lot of the substances he must change into an instantaneous success.

5

Gareth Southgate

England

Gareth Southgate has been linked with the hypothetical Man Utd emptiness for months, and together with his present contract as Three Lions boss expiring on the finish of the yr, the summer season permits the 53-year-old to exit on a excessive (or as a nationwide shame).

Both manner, the very presence of a global match means an England departure may very well be on the playing cards, although replicating success with the nationwide crew at one of many world’s largest golf equipment could be no imply feat. Nor wouldn’t it be a path not trodden by the United hierarchy earlier than, having poached Louis van Gaal from the Netherlands after a profitable World Cup marketing campaign.

Nonetheless, Southgate’s lack of membership soccer credentials might elevate a couple of eyebrows right here.

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6

Thomas Frank

Brentford

Regardless of by no means showing to be a favorite for the a number of managerial vacancies knocking round proper now, Brentford boss Thomas Frank at all times appears to be within the working. With Chelsea and Bayern Munich additionally considered admirers of the Dane, the thought of Frank leaving his present position on the Bees is not as far-fetched as it might have appeared a couple of months in the past.

Nonetheless, he has claimed that he expects to stay at Brentford subsequent season to proceed his fantastic work in remodeling their fortunes as a top-flight membership. Due to this fact, it appears quite a bit must occur to ensure that United – or anybody else – to investigate concerning the supervisor’s companies.

7

Graham Potter

Free agent (Final job: Chelsea)

Graham Potter has been out of a job for over a yr, and is clearly ready on the precise alternative to return to soccer administration, having rejected advances from the likes of Leicester Metropolis and Ajax since his departure from Chelsea.

Whether or not he sees Manchester United as his subsequent vacation spot stays to be seen, although it will be a daring transfer by a person for whom the Stamford Bridge job was made to look too massive, even amid the loopy spending spree he oversaw in west London.

8

Michael Carrick

Middlesbrough

Michael Carrick has expertise within the Manchester United dugout earlier than, having frolicked as a coach and caretaker supervisor following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure – a spell which included a 3-2 win over Arsenal in 2021.

Whether or not that can depend for something stays to be seen, however he has finished an honest job at Middlesbrough thus far, taking them to final yr’s play-off semi-finals and attaining a cushty mid-table end final time round.

It might be a hell of a leap as much as take the Outdated Trafford gig full-time, so his appointment wouldn’t come and not using a huge threat.

9

Unai Emery

Aston Villa

Unai Emery has taken Aston Villa to the Champions League – one thing he couldn’t handle throughout his time at Arsenal, exhibiting his progress as a supervisor since then.

After all, he has additionally been profitable in opposition to United prior to now, ending above the Crimson Devils in his solely full season as Gunners boss earlier than defeating them within the 2021 Europa League remaining with Villarreal.

Given he has finished so as soon as once more with Villa, you’d think about taking what could be a backward step appears unlikely to occur – particularly now he has signed a brand new five-year deal within the Midlands.

10

Zinedine Zidane

Free agent (Final job: Actual Madrid)

Zinedine Zidane’s file speaks for itself – already a massively embellished participant, the France legend enhanced that standing even additional with Actual Madrid by main them to 3 of their final 4 Champions League triumphs – every received in consecutive years.

Merely put, Zidane has confirmed he can deal with massive gamers and large events – although United is probably not the one ones concerned with bringing him in, as he’s already needed to fend off rumours of succeeding Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern and former membership Actual respectively.

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11

Jose Mourinho

Free agent (Final job: Roma)

Till Erik ten Hag delivered the Carabao Cup six months into his reign on the membership, Jose Mourinho was the final United boss to offer them a style of any silverware in any respect, albeit in his first yr earlier than all of it went pear-shaped.

There have additionally been whispers that he’s eyeing up a sensational return, although whether or not there may be an urge for food for such a comeback within the boardroom, or certainly the stands, is one other query completely.

Having made final yr’s Europa League remaining with Roma, there’s nonetheless life within the three-time Premier League winner but, although it will give the sense of making an attempt the identical issues and anticipating completely different outcomes – and failing to deliver the precise man in is one thing United can unwell afford.