This recognition has been steadily growing
It has been a difficult season for Manchester United and the talk has now turned to whether Erik Ten Hag will still be at the club next season.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Group have made key changes in the Manchester United hierarchy.
This includes Jason Wilcox as Technical Director and Omar Berrada as CEO.
Ten Hag has led his side to a second successive FA Cup final.
But United’s early Champions League exit, compounded by their failure to qualify for the competition this season following a very underwhelming league campaign, has seemingly left him in a precarious position.
Several managers have now come to the fore in the wake of these rumours.
We look at the managers who could lead Manchester United should Erik Ten Hag be sacked.
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth team secured a commanding 3-0 victory at Old Trafford, a result that solidified his burgeoning reputation.
This recognition has been steadily growing, particularly since his initial challenging phase during the club’s transitional period.
At only 41 years old, he perfectly embodies the qualities of a youthful, progressive manager, making him an ideal fit for the role.
But given that he already manages a Premier League side, Bournemouth would be reluctant to let him go.
Thomas Frank
Perhaps the situation would have been clearer if Brentford hadn’t struggled through much of this season.
Compared to past seasons, Brentford have been battling to stay out of the relegation zone.
However, it’s worth noting that Thomas Frank already possesses the knack for bringing out the vulnerabilities in Manchester United.
This includes a 4-0 victory at the start of the 2022/23 season as well as a 1-1 draw in March 2024 that saw Brentford have 31 shots.
Given that Frank has exposed Manchester United’s weaknesses, it is a quality that seems to be a requirement for the position.
Hansi Flick
Hansi Flick is currently recovering from the setback of his dismissal by Germany in September 2023, following a tenure that saw only 12 victories out of 25 matches while leading the national team since taking over from Joachim Low in 2021.
In contrast, his track record with Bayern Munich was impressive, boasting 70 wins out of 86 matches during his time at the Allianz Arena.
In just 18 months, he guided Bayern to a historic Treble victory in the 2019/20 season.
However, recent events have shown that success at Bayern is not guaranteed, highlighting the challenges faced even by accomplished managers.
Considering this, Flick would be a strong contender for the Manchester United managerial role.
Both he and the club are undergoing periods of reputational recovery, making him an ideal candidate to lead the team forward.
Julian Nagelsmann
Bayern Munich decided to part ways with Julian Nagelsmann, despite his flawless record in the Champions League last season, where his team faced formidable opponents like Inter Milan Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Additionally, Bayern Munich was just one point behind the Bundesliga leaders, despite Nagelsmann replacing the prolific Robert Lewandowski with Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting at times.
Many would argue that these achievements do not warrant dismissal.
He could be a good candidate for the Manchester United manager’s job.
But given that he recently signed a new contract to continue as the manager of the German national team, it seems very unlikely that he will lead the Red Devils.
Zinedine Zidane
The former Real Madrid coach has been away from the game for over two years.
But in summer 2023, Zidane indicated a return to management, saying:
“I feel refreshed now. There is nothing better than talking to a player before a match. I need that.”
Despite his hiatus, Zidane remains a highly sought-after manager due to his impressive track record and unique charisma.
He has the luxury of choosing from various job offers.
While there have been consistent rumours linking him to PSG, many speculate that if he were to join the Parisian club’s ranks, it would have happened already.
Similar sentiments surround the talks of him joining Manchester United. Given his stature and options, what could possibly attract Zidane to the Old Trafford role at this moment?
It appears more like a fantasy than a possibility but never say never should the club decide to part ways with Erik Ten Hag.
Roberto De Zerbi
Just a few months ago, Roberto De Zerbi might have been the ideal candidate in the eyes of many Manchester United fans.
This is especially true given his success in enhancing Brighton’s performance during his first year at the club.
However, United’s management would likely be cautious, considering what happened to Graham Potter when he transitioned to a high-pressure role at Chelsea.
De Zerbi himself might also have reservations.
Leaving a stable and well-organised club like Brighton for the tumultuous environment up north would entail significant risks.
Gareth Southgate
In March 2024, there were rumours linking Gareth Southgate with the Manchester United job.
The current England manager’s contract runs out in December 2024.
According to ESPN, Southgate is viewed as a possible candidate to replace Ten Hag as part-owners Ineos continue their efforts to overhaul United’s executive positions.
Southgate poured cold water on the claims, saying:
“I think there are two things from my point of view, one is that I’m the England manager, I’ve got one job basically to try and deliver a European Championship.
“Clearly before that, there are two important games this week.
“Second thing is, Manchester United have a manager and I think it is always completely disrespectful when there is a manager in place.
“I’m president of the LMA [League Managers’ Association] so I don’t have any time for that sort of thing really.”
But given that he will not speak to interested parties until after Euro 2024, it is possible that Manchester United might be one of the interested clubs that approach him before the start of the 2024/25 season.
Thomas Tuchel
With Thomas Tuchel’s impending departure from Bayern Munich, he becomes a prime candidate for many top managerial positions.
However, his perceived lack of warmth and the fact that he has managed four clubs in just a decade might not align with Manchester United’s values should they sack Erik Ten Hag.
But any uncertainties surrounding Tuchel should fade away if he manages to secure another Champions League title with Bayern Munich.
In that case, Manchester United would have to go above and beyond to secure him.
The swirling rumours regarding Erik Ten Hag’s future at Manchester United remain speculative at this point, yet several potential replacements have emerged as candidates for the managerial role.
Among these candidates are managers currently leading other Premier League clubs, showcasing their familiarity with the league’s demands and dynamics.
Conversely, some potential replacements have been out of football for a period, adding an element of unpredictability to the selection process.
As the speculation continues, the football world eagerly awaits to see whether Erik Ten Hag will indeed continue as Manchester United’s manager at the onset of the 2024/25 season.
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