Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, is facing increasing criticism as the team’s performance continues to decline. This downward spiral is reminiscent of fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal’s tenure before his dismissal in 2016.
Earlier this year, United showed promise by defeating La Liga champions Barcelona in the Europa League and winning their first trophy since 2017 in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United. However, in a surprising turn of events, they suffered consecutive 3-0 defeats to Eddie Howe’s Newcastle and Manchester City.
With Ten Hag’s position in jeopardy, the United board is considering potential replacements for the manager. It is important to note that changing the manager may not address the underlying issues plaguing the club, especially considering that Ten Hag’s potential dismissal would mark the fifth managerial change in less than 11 seasons since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
One leading candidate is Rúben Amorim, the current manager of Sporting CP in Portugal. The Times reports that United may be interested in him. Amorim has been in charge of Sporting CP since 2020 and recently won the Liga Portugal’s Manager Of The Month award for September. He has a contract with Sporting CP until 2026, including a release clause of around €10 million (£8.7 million).
Another name that has emerged as a potential replacement is Graham Potter, the former manager of Chelsea and Brighton. Potter was sacked from his position at Chelsea after less than seven months. While he was initially praised as a forward-thinking appointment, his tenure at a club desperate for immediate success proved challenging. This could raise concerns about his ability to navigate the similar challenges at United.
Zinedine Zidane, a familiar name to United fans, has also been linked to the managerial position. Zidane left his position as the manager of Real Madrid in 2021 and has been without a role since. His success with Madrid, where he further elevated an already successful team, raises questions about his ability to inspire and reinvigorate a struggling side like United.
Finally, Julian Nagelsmann, who recently departed from Bayern Munich, has been connected to various top jobs across Europe. While he was rumored to be a potential candidate for Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur, he ultimately rejected these opportunities to seek a project on solid ground. Nagelsmann recently took charge of the German national team and led them to victory in his first match. However, unless there are significant changes at United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe gains control of the project, it is unlikely that Nagelsmann will leave his current position.
As the pressure mounts on Erik ten Hag, Manchester United will need to carefully consider their options and choose a manager who can restore the club to its former glory.
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