Manchester United announced on Monday that manager Erik ten Hag has been dismissed following a disappointing start to the season. Currently languishing in 14th place, United suffered their fourth league defeat in nine games after a loss to West Ham on Sunday and have managed just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Before the defeat to West Ham, Dutch manager Erik ten Hag had overseen United’s worst start to a top-flight campaign since the 1989/90 season. The 54-year-old’s job had been under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to retain him following United’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City at Wembley in May.
Let us take a look at 5 possible replacements for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United after the Dutchman’s sacking
1. Graham Potter
Graham Potter previously collaborated with Man Utd sporting director Dan Ashworth at Brighton & Hove Albion, where they laid the groundwork for Roberto De Zerbi’s successful campaign that saw the club qualify for Europe for the first time. After joining Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s overhaul at Stamford Bridge, Potter and many Brighton staff members found themselves out of work by April 2023.
Significantly, Potter was the one who inflicted Erik ten Hag’s first defeat as Manchester United manager, with Pascal Gross scoring twice at Old Trafford in the opening match of the 2022-23 season. His experience in the Premier League gives him a significant edge over the rest of the competitors for the United job.
2. Ruud van Nistelrooy
A United legend who joined Ten Hag’s coaching staff over the summer is the bookmakers’ top choice for the role. Familiar with the squad and already present at the club, Van Nistelrooy enjoyed success as PSV Eindhoven’s manager, securing the KNVB Cup in the 2022-23 season.
Van Nistelrooy has garnered support from several notable figures, with Jamie O’Hara recently advocating for his appointment. It will be interesting to see if he can make a strong enough impression in the upcoming weeks to secure the position on a permanent basis.
3. Thomas Frank
Danish coach Thomas Frank, 50, has earned respect for successfully guiding Brentford to the Premier League and helping them establish themselves in the top tier. Despite being frequently linked to high-profile managerial positions, he remains committed to the Bees, and bringing him to Old Trafford would require a significant financial commitment. He is also believed to be held in high regard by key decision-makers at Manchester United.
Connections with Chelsea, Liverpool, and United have emerged and faded in recent years. The challenge, however, lies in the potential difficulty of persuading Brentford to part ways with him, as the Dane is contracted until 2027.
4. Kieran McKenna
McKenna is well-acquainted with Old Trafford, having served on the coaching staff from 2016 to 2021. In his inaugural managerial role at Ipswich Town, he achieved remarkable success, guiding the club from League One to the Premier League in just two-and-a-half years. His teams showcased an attacking style of play, earning promotion through consecutive second-place finishes, during which they netted 101 goals in League One and 92 in the Championship.
Given these accomplishments, it’s no wonder that the 38-year-old from Northern Ireland is viewed as one of the brightest managerial prospects in football today. Nevertheless, he has a four-year contract with the Tractor Boys, making it costly for United to secure his release from Ipswich.
5. Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim sharpened his skills as a football manager during an internship with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, and six years later, he is now being considered as a potential successor to the current manager at the club. he 39-year-old Portuguese manager has attracted interest from several clubs during his brief coaching career in Portugal, but Old Trafford now appears to be a potential new challenge for him.
On Monday, it was revealed that Manchester United is in discussions to appoint Amorim as Erik ten Hag’s successor. He was previously linked with Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, engaged in talks with West Ham about their managerial vacancy, and has even been considered a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
