Manchester United: D-Day nears for Erik ten Hag as Robert De Zerbi emerges as new manager frontrunner
Manchester United are continuing to sound out potential new managers as Erik ten Hag faces a nervy wait to find out whether he will keep his job after Saturday’s FA Cup triumph.
Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has emerged among the frontrunners should new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the rest of the club’s hierarchy decide to pull the trigger, while talks have also reportedly been held with representatives of Mauricio Pochettino and Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has also been linked with the role but Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna is considered out of the running as he looks to have agreed a lucrative new deal at Portman Road having led the club to back-to-back promotions.
Ratcliffe, who controls football operations at Old Trafford having bought a 27.7 per cent stake in the club last year, is this week leading a season review as a decision on Ten Hag’s future looms.
Heading into Saturday’s final there were widespread reports that the Dutchman was set to be sacked regardless of the result. United’s campaign was largely underwhelming as they finished eighth with a negative goal difference, their worst ever Premier League performance.
However, a superb 2-1 victory over rivals Man City at Wembley made it two trophies in as many seasons in charge for Ten Hag following last year’s League Cup success and while his departure still appears likely, the triumph - which sees United qualify for Europe next season - has given weight to the argument for keeping the former Ajax boss on.
The 54-year-old still has another 12 months to run on his contract and in a punchy post-match press conference warned Old Trafford chiefs that sacking him now would be a major mistake.
“I’m in a project and we are exactly where we want to be,” he said. “When I came to United it was a mess. If they don’t want me anymore, I’ll go somewhere else and do what I’ve done my whole managerial career, winning matches and trophies.”
