Man United target SIX managers as Erik ten Hag’s job hangs in the balance… but replacing him ‘would carry degree of risk’ as INEOS continue major overhaul behind the scenes
- Erik ten Hag has a month to save his job at Old Trafford
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Manchester United have personally accepted that replacing Erik ten Hag at the end of the season carries a certain amount of risk, mainly due to the lack of an excellent candidate.
The Dutchman avoided humiliation as his side beat Coventry 4-2 on penalties in the FA Cup semi-finals after the Championship side fought back from 3-0 down to force extra time.
But although Ten Hag has taken his team to a third final in two seasons, his future hangs in the balance after Sunday’s near-fatal defeat to Mark Robins’ men.
According to The TelegraphThe 54-year-old has a month to save his job and new technical director Jason Wilcox has been ordered to conduct an audit of his credentials in the coming month.
However, United’s minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team – who are now in charge of football operations at Old Trafford – are wary that there is no obvious candidate to replace Ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag’s job is on the line after a dismal second season at Manchester United
Thomas Tuchel is keen to return to the Premier League next season
Gareth Southgate (left) and Graham Potter (right) have both been linked with United
United are reportedly having reservations over whether Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter – who have both been linked with United – would gain credibility in the dressing room.
Potter emerged as one of the Premier League’s brightest managers at Brighton, but his spell at Chelsea lasted just seven months.
Southgate has since turned England into contenders on the international stage, but the last time he managed a club was 15 years ago when he was sacked by Middlesbrough.
Thomas Tuchel will be available as he is set to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season and has openly expressed his desire to coach in England again.
Although the German is a proven winner and could win the Champions League for the second time in four seasons next month, his abrasive personality has been cited as a concern.
Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is also on United’s radar despite his links with Liverpool and West Ham.
Bologna manager Thiago Motta (left) and Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi (right) are both highly admired by United’s hierarchy
United have also been impressed by the likes of Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, Thiago Motta and Michel, who have put Bologna and Girona on course for Champions League qualification thanks to extraordinary seasons in Serie A and LaLiga.
However, according to The Telegraph, questions remain over whether any of the three would have the personality to handle the pressure of a club as big as United, especially ahead of what is expected to be a summer of radical change.
Since Ratcliffe completed his minority takeover, United have wasted no time in overhauling their football operations in a bid to close the gap with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Wilcox left his role as director of football at Southampton last week to take over as technical director at Old Trafford with immediate effect.
His appointment was made by Omar Berrada, who he worked with during his time as academy director at City.
Berrada himself left City earlier this season and will formally take up his role as United’s new CEO in July, with Dan Ashworth set to join the club as sporting director once financial compensation has been agreed with Newcastle.
