Manchester United identify next head coach as Erik ten Hag’s future hangs in the balance: Reports
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is clearly a man under pressure following the Red Devils' disappointing start to the season. According to the Mirror, United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering luring former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane to replace Ten Hag.
The Red Devils had a tough season last year, finishing eighth in the Premier League, while also being knocked out of their Champions League group. Although their FA Cup victory led Manchester United’s revamped board to stick with Ten Hag, the start to the current season has intensified the pressure on him.
After a 1-0 win over Fulham, United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on the road and were then dismantled by Liverpool at Old Trafford. This poor form has only heightened the scrutiny on Ten Hag.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly been monitoring potential replacements in case Ten Hag’s tenure falters, with Zidane being a prime target. The three-time Champions League winner has not managed a team since 2021, but still remains a sought-after coach.
However, Zidane is also a leading candidate to replace Didier Deschamps as the France men’s national team manager, should the current Les Bleus manager depart. Additionally, the Frenchman has indicated in the past that he is not interested in the Manchester United role due to his lack of fluency in English.
“Would I want to go to Manchester [United]? I understand English, but I’m not completely fluent in it. I know that there are coaches who go to clubs without speaking the language, but I work in a different way,” he said to L’Equipe (via Daily Mail).
Erik ten Hag, however, currently has the backing of both CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth, with the pair expressing their confidence in the 54-year-old tactician.
Former Manchester United manager sends message to Erik ten Hag and the club
Ralf Rangnick was not a name that inspired confidence among United supporters when he arrived three years ago. Although the current Austria manager won only 11 of his 29 games in charge at the club, he did reveal some harsh truths about the team.
Speaking during the 2021-22 season, Rangnick stated that United needed “open-heart surgery”, while also noting that the club lacked the quality to compete with the best teams.
Now, he believes his statement has proven true, as Manchester United have been overhauling their squad under the new-look board this season. There have been several departures, and United have signed five players in an effort to improve the quality of the squad. Speaking recently about the Red Devils, he said (via Mirror):
"I probably made that statement when the season was almost over about two years ago. It is probably only two or three weeks since Erik ten Hag was asked the same thing. Then he said that I was right in my analysis. I don’t know how many players they have signed since, but it looks like I was right."
Manchester United, currently 14th in the Premier League table, will face Southampton on September 14 before playing Barnsley in the EFL Cup on September 17.