Five Candidates to Replace Ten Hag at Man Utd
Erik ten Hag’s tumultuous tenure as Manchester United manager officially concluded on Monday, following a rocky season start that plunged the Red Devils to 14th place in the Premier League standings.
Former United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy will step in as interim manager until the club confirms a permanent replacement for Ten Hag.
Here’s a look at the top five contenders for the managerial role at Old Trafford:
Gareth Southgate (unattached)
Following back-to-back Euro finals with England, Southgate is available after wrapping up his eight-year stint with the Three Lions in July. At 54, his success in revitalizing England’s prominence on the global stage has reportedly impressed United’s new leadership, including co-owner Jim Ratcliffe.
Despite this, Southgate’s last club management role was at Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2009. Known for improving the national team’s rapport with fans and media, his tactical approach has sometimes drawn criticism in international play. However, he has previously coached several United stars Ten Hag struggled to utilize effectively, such as Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, and Marcus Rashford.
Thomas Frank (Brentford)
Brentford’s Thomas Frank was on the opposing bench for Ten Hag’s final match at Old Trafford, a 2-1 win for United. Despite limited resources, the Dane has Brentford sitting ninth in the Premier League, two points clear of United.
In his six years with Brentford, Frank has led the club to its first-ever Premier League promotion in 2021 and has kept them competitive in the top division despite regularly losing key players.
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Graham Potter (unattached)
Potter has been unemployed since Chelsea dismissed him in April 2023. His difficulties managing Chelsea’s high expectations during his seven-month stint at Stamford Bridge may weigh against him.
Nonetheless, Potter’s rise in the Premier League before Chelsea, particularly for his engaging play style at Brighton, makes him a notable candidate. He was previously rumored to be on the radar of French club Nice, also owned by Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group.
Xavi (unattached)
Reports suggest that United executives recently met with former Barcelona coach Xavi. The iconic midfielder exited Barcelona last season after conflicts with the club’s management, despite successfully guiding them to a La Liga title in 2022/23 and reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.
If Xavi joins United, it would set up an exciting rivalry with his former mentor and Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola.
Simone Inzaghi (Inter Milan)
Italian manager Simone Inzaghi has also been mentioned in connection with the United role. Known for his tactical skills, the 48-year-old led Inter Milan to the Serie A title last season and the 2023 Champions League final.
According to Italian reports, Inzaghi has been honing his English skills, anticipating a move to the Premier League in the future.
Five Candidates to Replace Ten Hag at Man Utd
