Manchester United are doing due diligence on potential replacements for Erik Ten Hag and one of those that has been looked at is England manager Gareth Southgate, HITC understands.
Despite looking at possible managerial options, United sources are quick to point and and insist that a decision has not been made on Ten Hag, indeed he has a strong support from a number of the club’s top brass – including new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe has made it clear he is a fan of much of the work done by Ten Hag during his tenure particularly with his managing of the club’s top prospects including Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.
Ten Hag’s disciplinary measures have also earned him plaudits within the club’s hierarchy, and they acknowledge the situations surrounding the likes of Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho have been testing to say the least.
However, despite Ratcliffe’s backing – it has also been made clear to Ten Hag that results will dictate his future at United, meaning the coming weeks and months are crucial to the Dutchman and whether he has a future at Old Traffford, or not.
Manchester United considering options
Given that a change could happen, it is therefore no surprise to know that United are working on plans – should they need a new head coach.
INEOS, Ratcliffe’s company, are working on a new football department and have already honed in on a number of targets. Omar Berrada is coming in from Manchester City as chief executive, whilst the sporting director role is set to be taken by Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth. Southampton’s Jason Wilcox and Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman are also targets to come in.
The man who has been leading the recruitment drive is INEOS’ sporting chief Sir Dave Brailsford and he has also being part of the process to help compile a potential list of options – should they move on from Ten Hag and England boss Southgate is one of those, it has been confirmed to HITC, that is being considered.
United’s sporting director-elect Ashworth is close to Southgate, but HITC also understands that Brailsford is actually very close to the England boss and they have known each other for more than a decade.
Southgate himself is due to take charge of England at the European Championships this summer, but as it stands his current deal expires in the summer.
Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter is also a name that has been discussed, as have Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann.
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