Thiago Motta ’emerges as potential Erik ten Hag replacement at Man United’ after his brilliant work with Bologna… but Reds would face stiff competition from Juventus
- Motta surprisingly has Bologna on course for the Champions League next year
- Reports in Italy suggest United could be looking at him if Ten Hag is sacked
- Why this is the end for Erik ten Hag at Man United – Listen to the It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Thiago Motta has reportedly emerged as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United following his excellent work at Bologna.
The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, 41, has failed to keep Bologna on course for Champions League football with the team currently fourth in Serie A.
Motta’s contract expires in the summer and while Bologna hope he will renew, Gazetta dello Sport connecting the Brazilian-born former Italy international with United and Juventus.
Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford is in jeopardy as they struggle to reach the Champions League next season by reaching the top five of the Premier League.
New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos will assess the Dutchman’s performance in the summer, with Ten Hag also hoping to deliver the FA Cup to Old Trafford to save his job.
Bologna coach Thiago Motta has been linked to Manchester United in the Italian press
Motta’s team from Bologna is surprisingly on course to qualify for the Champions League in Italy
United manager Ten Hag is under pressure as they struggle to reach the Champions League
Motta quickly moved into coaching after retiring from playing in 2018, taking charge of PSG’s under-19 side before returning to Italy for spells at Genoa and Spezia.
After keeping Spezia in Serie A against all odds in 2022, he replaced Sinisa Mihajlovic at Bologna in September 2022 and guided them to a ninth-place finish last season.
But this season, Motta has taken Bologna to a whole new level using its unorthodox formation: a 4-3-3 that can be interpreted as a 2-7-2.
Motta has committed to playing attacking football, where his players are able to occupy multiple positions and where the one on the ball has three or four teammates at his disposal.
These qualities would certainly appeal to United, but they are reportedly facing stiff competition from Juventus as Massimiliano Allegri struggles to keep his job.
Motta’s agent Dario Canovi has always insisted his client will one day coach in the Champions League.
That would likely be at Juventus or Bologna next season, but that is far from guaranteed at United, who are currently on course for Europa League football.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos must make a decision about Ten Hag’s future
United have had a difficult season as they struggle to finish in the top five
They dropped five points against Brentford and Chelsea in recent days, hurting their chances of catching Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur ahead.
Having already lost twelve league matches this season, Ten Hag’s side are twelve points behind Villa in fourth place and nine points behind Spurs in fifth place, with eight to play.
United receives arch-rival and title hunter Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
