Erik ten Hag was dismissed as Manchester United manager on Monday, October 28th, 2024, following a difficult period that saw the club struggle both in England and in Europe. Although he had some early success, thanks to the League Cup and FA Cup he won at his time, things took a dive with his recent sub-par performances. A disappointing league finish last season, followed by a sluggish start to this campaign with United sitting 14th in the Premier League, left the board with little choice, with the final straw coming right off the back of a 2-1 loss to West Ham, a side that’s also been out of form this season.
Potential Replacements
With Ruud van Nistelrooy stepping in as interim manager, many see him as the favourite to hold the role in the short term. However, several names are already rumoured to replacing ten Hag; Simone Inzaghi, Gareth Southgate, and Thomas Frank have all been mentioned, but three of the most prominent candidates include:
Mauricio Pochettino
The former Spurs and PSG boss is a regular in conversations whenever a big job opens up, and as such, isn’t so much of a surprise seeing his name in the news. His familiarity with the Premier League could play a part, but considering his recent appointment as the head coach of USA, there’s a strong doubt that he would be interested in taking on the challenge.
Julian Nagelsmann
The ex-Bayern Munich manager is another exciting option. Nagelsmann his known for his innovative abilities and also has a knack for bringing out the best in his players. However, leaving his current role at RB Leipzig at this moment does not sound very likely.
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Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim though, seems the most realistic option at the time of writing. He has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for a while now, thanks to his impressive record, especially in European competitions. The young, ambitious Sporting CP manager has already proven himself at a high level, and his dynamic approach is perceived to align well with the ambitions of both the club and their new stakeholder, INEOS.
Known for his innovative tactics, ability to develop young talent, and skill in building competitive teams on tight budgets, Amorim has become a sought-after name across Europe, and his motivational style and attacking philosophy are exactly what United believe they need to commence the long overdue rebuild at Old Trafford. It is also presumed his approach would likely bring the excitement the fans have been demanding for some time now.
However, since he is still under contract with Sporting CP, United would need to pay quite a sum to secure him; although that’s currently not perceived to be a problem for the club, especially as he’s presently rumoured as one who fits their vision for the future.
Regardless of who ends up taking the job, one thing is clear; the sacking of Erik ten Hag has put Manchester United in a difficult position, and the club would need to find a manager who can restore them to their former glory. But while Ruben Amorim truly an exciting candidate, there are still other strong contenders in the mix. Fingers crossed.
