Manchester United seems to have come to terms with the idea that finding a replacement for Erik ten Hag could be a tricky task.
Despite his recent success, the team’s management is concerned about the lack of standout options available.
In their recent FA Cup semi-final match against Coventry, although United managed to scrape through with a win, it was a close call.
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Coventry’s comeback from being three goals down to forcing extra time put a spotlight on ten Hag’s leadership.
Reports suggest that ten Hag’s position is hanging by a thread, especially after Sunday’s nerve-wracking game.
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The Telegraph indicates that he has roughly a month to turn things around and prove his worth, with Jason Wilcox leading the evaluation of his performance.
However, the folks at INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who now oversee football operations at Old Trafford, are cautious. They recognize the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for ten Hag.
Manchester United’s Managerial Audit: The Trial of Erik ten Hag”
According to recent reports, ten Hag is essentially on trial as part of this evaluation process led by Jason Wilcox.
He’s been under intense scrutiny for his management of United, especially considering their disappointing performance this season, where they sit seventh in the Premier League and were eliminated from the Champions League group stage.
According to The Telegraph, United has enlisted Wilcox, who recently joined from Southampton, to evaluate Ten Hag’s performance, including his strengths, weaknesses, and rapport with the team.
This assessment will help determine if Ten Hag aligns with the club’s new vision under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
Despite recent doubts about Ten Hag’s suitability, the absence of a standout replacement may work in his favor.
Ratcliffe personally witnessed United’s collapse at the FA Cup semi-final and is concerned that Ten Hag’s position could become untenable if they fail to secure European qualification.
As part of the assessment, Wilcox will observe training sessions, interview players and staff, and speak directly with Ten Hag to gauge his relationship with the squad, particularly following reported conflicts with players like Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho.
Additionally, the audit will investigate whether United’s poor form is a result of their extensive injury crisis, which has seen over 60 separate cases of injury or illness this season, or if there are deeper issues between players and the manager.
Six Potential Replacements Considered as Erik ten Hag’s Future Hangs in the Balance
In discussions surrounding potential managerial candidates for Manchester United, Gareth Southgate emerges as a notable figure.
Despite his success in leading England’s national team to contention on the international stage, doubts linger about his ability to command credibility within the dressing room at United. With his last club management role dating back 15 years to his tenure at Middlesbrough, questions arise about his suitability for the high-pressure environment at Old Trafford.
Graham Potter, Despite his success at Brighton, where he is considered one of the Premier League’s brightest managers, his previous spell at Chelsea lasted just seven months, raising questions about his suitability for a top club like United.
Thomas Tuchel, who will be available after leaving Bayern Munich and has openly expressed a desire to manage in England again. However, despite his track record of success, including potentially winning the Champions League for the second time in four seasons, concerns have been raised about his personality.
Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim is another name on United’s radar, despite also being linked with Liverpool and West Ham.
Additionally, United has shown interest in managers like Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, Thiago Motta, and Michel, who have achieved remarkable results with Bologna and Girona, putting them in contention for Champions League qualification.
However, there are lingering doubts about whether any of these candidates would have the right personality to handle the immense pressure at a club like United, especially with major changes expected in the upcoming summer.
