Manchester United officials have reportedly already identified their ideal replacement for Erik ten Hag if he is sacked following the humiliating 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Manchester United has reportedly identified a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag, should they decide to part ways with him after the team’s devastating 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. This defeat has fueled speculation about Ten Hag’s future, as the Dutch manager now faces mounting pressure after a poor performance at Old Trafford. Tottenham’s dominance in the game raised questions about United’s direction under Ten Hag, leading to various rumors about possible successors. Among the names being floated are Gareth Southgate and Ruud van Nistelrooy, but reports suggest the club’s board already has a preferred candidate in mind.
Before the current season began, United’s new co-owners, INEOS, had discussions about whether to continue with Ten Hag at the helm after the club’s underwhelming finish in the previous Premier League season, where they ended eighth—their worst performance since the Premier League’s inception in 1992. During these meetings, a few high-profile managers were considered as potential replacements, including former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel. According to a report from The Daily Mail in July, Tuchel has emerged as the leading candidate if Ten Hag is sacked.
While Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS team decided to stick with Ten Hag for the start of this season, they were reportedly very impressed with Tuchel’s vision for reviving Manchester United and returning the club to its former glory in European football. Tuchel’s strategic approach during these discussions resonated with United’s new leadership, making him an attractive option for the future.
At the time of these talks, Tuchel had recently ended a turbulent stint with Bayern Munich and was looking to take a break from football, which seemingly ruled him out of contention for the United job. However, with three months having passed since those discussions, the situation may have shifted. Should United’s poor form continue, and if the decision is made to part with Ten Hag, the club could once again turn to Tuchel as their top choice.
Despite the swirling rumors, Ten Hag remains assured in his position. After the loss to Tottenham, he addressed the speculation, expressing his belief that his job is not in immediate jeopardy. In his post-match comments, Ten Hag reiterated that both he and the club’s leadership are united in their commitment to moving forward together.
“No, I’m not thinking about that,” Ten Hag told reporters when asked about the potential of losing his job. “We all made the decision to stay united this summer—the ownership, the leadership team, the staff, and the players. We’re all on the same page, in the same boat. I don’t have that concern.”
For now, Ten Hag remains in charge at Old Trafford, but the pressure continues to mount. With Manchester United struggling to find consistency, the club may soon be forced to reconsider its options, and Tuchel could be waiting in the wings for an opportunity to take over.
