As Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United remains uncertain, sources have revealed that Ineos is already assessing potential successors to the Dutch manager. While no decision has been made regarding Ten Hag’s future, options are being explored to find suitable replacements in case he leaves his post at Old Trafford this summer. Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank, and Gareth Southgate are among the coaches being considered by Ineos, with Brighton head coach De Zerbi, Brentford head coach Frank, and England manager Southgate all reportedly of interest.
Ineos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford is currently leading a thorough structural review at Manchester United, following their purchase of a 27.7% stake in the club last month. This review includes assessing player recruitment in recent years and drawing up a contingency plan in case Ten Hag departs. With incoming chief executive Omar Berrada set to start work at Old Trafford after serving a period of gardening leave, discussions are also ongoing with Newcastle over a potential deal for sporting director Dan Ashworth to move to United.
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group took control of football operations at United, there has been increased pressure on Ten Hag to deliver results. Ratcliffe, the club’s new minority owner, emphasized the importance of qualifying for the Champions League for financial fair play reasons. Manchester United’s recent poor run of form, including defeats to Fulham and Manchester City, has only added to the speculation surrounding Ten Hag’s future at the club.
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s position, clubs in Europe are already making preparations for potential managerial changes. Leverkusen and Vfb Stuttgart in Germany could also present attractive opportunities for coaches like Xabi Alonso and Sebastian Hoeness. Despite interest in Ten Hag from clubs like Bayern Munich, United remain focused on finding a suitable replacement if needed, with De Zerbi and Frank also on their radar.
While Southgate’s credentials make him an intriguing option, sources suggest that he might be considered an outsider in the race for the Manchester United managerial position. The England manager’s future post-Euro 2024 remains uncertain, and his lack of recent involvement in club football might work against him. However, his relationship with Dan Ashworth and Sir Dave Brailsford could potentially play a role in his candidacy for the job.
With doubts surrounding various aspects of Manchester United at the moment, the club is working diligently to plan for every eventuality. The cost of compensating Ten Hag and potentially hiring a new manager could prove to be a significant factor in the decision-making process. However, Ten Hag still has the opportunity to secure his position by guiding the team to a successful end to the season and demonstrating his ability to develop young talent within the squad.
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