Contenders to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United if he is sacked

Mauricio Pochettino's departure from Chelsea means Manchester United could be considering another option. Photo: Getty Images/Matt McNulty

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is worried about his future as the club conducts its final review of the season.

United have endured a disappointing season in the league, although the campaign ended on a high level with a victory over Manchester City. in the FA Cup final.

Ten Hag's position remains in doubt, however, and Telegraph Sport is looking at some potential candidates to replace him this summer. 

The circle narrowed further on Monday with news that Kieran McKenna would remain at Ipswich Town.

By leaving Chelsea last week, he opened the race to succeed Erik ten Hag as he was not expected to be on the market. He famously dined with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2016 when it looked like he might become United manager, but it didn't happen. But he has always been on the club's radar and maintains a relationship with Sir Dave Brailsford of the new INEOS regime at Old Trafford.

Has a history of developing young, home-grown talent from his time at Tottenham, when under Harry Kane appeared under his leadership, and his team reached the Champions League final and showed results far beyond their capabilities.

Tuchel left Bayern Munich at the end of the campaign and is believed to be very interested in the United job. The former Champions League-winning Chelsea manager has been on United's shortlist in the past and the new Old Trafford hierarchy recognize the 50-year-old as experienced, tactically flexible, articulate, with Premier League and circuit knowledge . winning record.

But with the team in need of a radical overhaul and a new structure not yet in place, they will have to decide whether he is the right fit in terms of personality and character at this stage, when there is so much rebuilding to do.

The England manager has a following in Ineos and has shown through his work with the national team that he can unite a fragmented, disillusioned group of players, even as he manages a club's multinational dressing room on a day-to-day basis. and personalities are not exactly the same thing. Southgate knows United's new sporting director Dan Ashworth well from their time together at the Football Association, as well as Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford, and has the patience and poise to work within and develop the structure.

However, there have already been hints that Southgate's appointment may not go down well with United fans, with questions raised over his style of play and whether he can win the trust of players at one of the club's biggest clubs. His club management experience is also limited to three seasons, while Middlesbrough goes back 15 years.

Gareth Southgate will have to prove he can transfer his success in England to club football. Photo: Mark Large

The latest coaching talent to emerge from Portugal, the 39-year-old has just led Sporting Lisbon to a second title in four seasons and has big things ahead of him. Liverpool have decided to cool their interest in Amorim in favor of Feyenoord's Arne Slot after careful analysis and, as with other candidates, it will come with risks and questions over whether he can move to the club under such relentless scrutiny .

Amorim led Sporting Lisbon to two titles in four years. Photo: Shutterstock/Antonio Pedro Santos

Amorim, who also played for West Ham, tends to use an adaptable back three which, without changes, may not fit particularly well into this United team. He has shown himself to be very flexible in his play and presses intensely without possession.

The 50-year-old Dane has worked wonders on a relatively modest budget at Brentford since taking over as head coach in 2018 after a spell as assistant coach. He has proven time and time again that he can build teams, improve and develop players, and be tactically astute and flexible.

Highly respected among his peers, he communicates well and impresses to the right of the camera, another important attribute at a club like United.

Frank has developed a reputation as a manager who can work well within a strong club model. Photo: Getty Images/Rob Newell

Pep Guardiola considers him one of the best coaches in Europe, and the Italian enjoyed a remarkable debut season with Brighton.

This season has proven more difficult, particularly with injuries to key players, but Brighton's quality of play and possession has ensured the 44-year-old has a penchant for being the center of attention when better vacancies arise. United will have to be satisfied that he has the temperament for the Old Trafford pressure cooker.

Have Brighton's struggles this season affected De Zerbi's chances of landing his next big job? Photo: Getty Images/Glyn Kirk -523b1e6647fb.html?direct=true&id=e81071d0-fac6-49c7-872c-523b1e6647fb' class='tmg-particle embed wrp-e81071d0-fac6-49c7-872c-523b1e6647fb' title='Michel — manager of Girona data- business type='editorial' loading='eager' scroll='no' Frameborder='0'allow='web-share' style='width: 100%; min-width: 100%; border: none; position: relative; display: block; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;'>

The 48-year-old Madrid-born coach has been a revelation since taking charge of Girona in 2021 and has presided over one of the success stories of the season, guiding the club to the Champions League tournament. For a long time they even fought for the title with Real Madrid.

As Girona is part of the City Football Group, owned by Manchester City's Abu Dhabi cashiers, Michel is a familiar face to new United chief executive Omar Berrada, who is due to officially take up the job on July 13 after leaving City in January . Michel, whose full name is Miguel Angel Sanchez Muñoz, is primarily in possession of the ball, but Girona have a direct and counter-attacking focus in their game, which has proven to be a failure for opponents.

Girona's excellent season in La Liga was largely down to Michel. Photo: Getty Images/Alex Caparros

Earned a growing reputation for himself with stints at Östersunds in Sweden, followed by Swansea and Brighton, laying much of the groundwork for De Zerbi. When Chelsea came calling in September 2022, it was too big an opportunity to turn down, although it was something of a poisoned chalice given the turbulence at the club under new owners, and he left after just seven months and 31 games.

Potter was in no hurry to return to management and chooses his moment, waiting for the right job. Like Southgate, Potter is a calm man and has shown he can work within a structure, but there may be questions, especially after his experience with Chelsea, whether he has the credentials to take on such a huge job at Old Trafford «.

Who will get your vote?