FEATURE | 5 managers that could replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United | OneFootball

With exclusive news coming out of The Guardian today that Manchester United have decided to sack Erik ten Hag regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s FA Cup final against Manchester City, it’s time for the Red Devils to find a new manager.

This is Get Football’s breakdown of the top five managers to replace the Dutchman.

Kieran McKenna

A former scout at Manchester United, Kieran McKenna was appointed as the club’s U18 manager – a role he kept for two years between 2016 and 2018 – before being appointed as an assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2018. The Englishman worked alongside Solskjær for 168 games, and was also a part of the setup under Jose Mourinho, Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick before taking on the Ipswich Town job in December 2021.

Since his appointment at Ipswich, the Tractor Boys have been on an upward trajectory. Promoted to the Championship as runners-up to Plymouth Argyle in the 2022/23 season, staying up was their only goal. But against all odds, McKenna and his coaching staff guided Ipswich to successive promotions.

There’s no doubt that McKenna has done a magnificent job with minimal budget, but to be appointed as Manchester United’s next coach may be a little too early in his career. There’s no doubt that McKenna is an option with Manchester United already meeting his representatives, but this would be a bold move.

Thomas Tuchel

As reported via our colleagues at Get German Football News, Thomas Tuchel and Bayern Munich announced that they would part ways at the end of the season, all the way back in February, after conceding the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen. As Bayern’s search for a successor continues, the Rekordmeister almost made a U-turn on the German but despite it being a possibility, Tuchel confirmed that it would not be happening after a disagreement on the contract situation.

That means Tuchel is available. A Champions League winner with Chelsea and Bundesliga winner with Bayern Munich, there’s no doubt that the German comes with significant experience. A glistening CV, Tuchel knows how to manage the big names and appears to be the current frontrunner for the job.

Thomas Frank

Appointed as Brentford manager in October 2018, Thomas Frank has done a phenomenal job at Brentford. Adopting a moneyball approach, Frank and his recruitment team have rarely missed in the transfer market, while Manchester United are the complete opposite.

However, Brentford’s 16th place finish in this season’s Premier League is the lowest. There are certainly some question marks surrounding Frank, but Chelsea are also eyeing up the Chelsea boss.

Mauricio Pochettino

The Argentina has left Chelsea after just one season at the club. Pochettino guided the Blues to sixth in the Premier League, meaning they will play European football next season, and Chelsea’s decision to sack Poch is certainly an odd one. As reported via F365, the club were ‘concerned by Pochettino’s tactics’ and his ‘antiquated’ training methods.

Despite suggestions, Pochettino had the backing of the players and established a growing relationship with his squad. But now, Pochettino, alongside Tuchel, appears to be at the top of Manchester United’s list to succeed Ten Hag.

Gareth Southgate

When Gareth Southgate’s name was announced in the running to succeed Ten Hag upon his eventual departure, fans certainly had every right to question the reports. Firstly, Southgate hasn’t managed a club since 2009 (Middlesbrough 2006-09), and that didn’t exactly work out. A 29.80% win percentage, Boro were relegated under their former player.

Southgate would then coach England’s U21 squad between 2013 and 2016, coaching players such as Jordan Pickford, Eric Dier and Jack Grealish – key players who would go on to play a key role in England’s 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 campaigns.

His future after Euro 2024 is certainly uncertain but a decision to appoint Southgate would certainly be a bold one for United’s bosses.

Get Football | Daniel Pinder