Manchester United is currently “evaluating” three potential replacements for Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, with Gareth Southgate among the options.
Following ten Hag’s challenging season at Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s new minority owner, is considering managerial candidates to succeed the Dutchman in the summer.
According to ESPN, the club is “exploring options to assess the qualifications and availability of potential replacements.”
Ratcliffe and Ineos are scrutinizing three managers: Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi from Brighton, and Thomas Frank from Brentford.
“There is significant interest in De Zerbi,” a source informed ESPN, referencing reported attention from clubs such as Chelsea, Barcelona, and Liverpool.
While Frank has earned admiration at Old Trafford, he may be overlooked due to his success in constructing a high-energy team at Brentford and embracing the club’s data-driven recruitment approach.
Despite not having coached club football since his dismissal from Middlesbrough in 2009, Southgate is still in contention and has not made a decision regarding his future with England beyond Euro 2024.
Southgate’s close professional relationship with Dan Ashworth, who is set to become Manchester United’s sporting director, could be influential, given their past collaboration during Ashworth’s tenure as the FA’s head of elite development.
Even though England’s UEFA coefficient suggests that fifth place is sufficient, Manchester United still needs to bridge a six-point gap with Tottenham, who have played one less game, to qualify for the Champions League.
Reports suggest that ten Hag’s “reputation remains strong in Europe,” especially in Germany, where clubs like Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, and VfB Stuttgart are reportedly interested in hiring him as manager at the end of the season.
