Roberto de Zerbi and Gareth Southgate are in the running to become the next Manchester United manager, along with one other Premier League boss, if Erik ten Hag is sacked by the club, according to reports.
Ten Hag is currently enduring his second season as United chief but faces an uncertain future with the INEOS revolution led by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe weighing up whether to appoint a new coach.
The Dutchman enjoyed a miserable 100th appearance in the Red Devils dugout after suffering a 3-1 hammering by derby rivals Man City at the weekend and the club have drawn up a shortlist of replacements, as reported by ESPN.
His existing contract runs until the summer of 2025 but there are suggestions that he could be cut at the end of the current season after Ratcliffe refused to guarantee his position as United manager.
Mail Sport recently revealed that first-team players at Old Trafford expect the 54-year-old to depart, while there have also been complaints over the intensity of his training regime.
Gareth Southgate is reportedly in the running to become the next Manchester United manager
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is also being assessed as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag
Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford is uncertain amidst a difficult season at the club
United have struggled during Ten Hag’s second season at the club and a new manager could be appointed in the summer
Ratcliffe and his INEOS team have been quick to start making changes after obtaining sporting control at the 13-time Premier League by securing a 27.7 per cent stake in the club.
Omar Berrada has been named the club’s new CEO after being swiped from local rivals Man City, while they are also negotiating Dan Ashworth’s release from Newcastle in the hope of making him sporting director.
They are also considering a managerial change and Ten Hag’s future is being scrutinised, while replacements are being sounded out should they decide to pull the trigger.
Southgate represents the most audacious of names being mentioned with the head coach role at one of the biggest clubs in world football, with him currently preparing England for the upcoming European Championship and only managing one club previously.
His current deal in charge of the national team expires in December and it is yet to be seen if Southgate will take the FA up on their offer to extend his stay until 2026.
The 53-year-old is understood to be an outsider for the position, while De Zerbi and Brentford manager Thomas Frank are amongst the more favoured names.
De Zerbi is another potential fit for the position and would have to swap Premier League commitments from the south coast to the north west if he wants to succeed Ten Hag.
The Italian has been regularly linked with a job amongst the traditional ‘big six’ clubs in the English top-flight and has transformed Brighton into an impressive outfit while working on a shoestring budget in comparison to United.
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank also possesses admirers at Old Trafford
Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford could weigh heavily on qualification for next season’s Champions League
However, stiff competition for De Zerbi’s signature is expected from other clubs around Europe and Liverpool also considering a managerial move in the summer.
Frank is another Premier League coach who could find himself stalking the Old Trafford on a weekly basis next season if admirers decide to bring him in.
Brentford’s high-energy approach is well-liked by suitors in Manchester and there is an appreciation of his recruitment strategy that is based off of data points that the likes of Sir Dave Brailsford favour.
New Man United investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering a managerial change at Old Trafford
Frank is admired for his ability to transform Brentford into a team playing high-energy football
Similar to any possible move for De Zerbi, is that Frank has also been mentioned as a replacement for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Ten Hag would be remunerated for any early termination of his contract while it’s likely that United would also have to fork out to Brighton or Brentford if they move for either De Zerbi or Frank.
The current United boss could be in charge of his own destiny at the club if he is able to lead his current crop of underperforming stars to qualification for next season’s Champions League.
New investor, Ratcliffe, recently outlined the importance that hinges on qualifying for Europe’s top club competition, with United currently 11-points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa.
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