Manchester United are progressing with their plans for next season and HITC understands they are planning on Erik ten Hag on being their head coach.
Under new minority owners INEOS they have been conducting a football audit and analysis under their sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford and that started before Christmas.
As part of the process, the club have confirmed Brailsford and INEOS CEO Jean-Claude Blanc on the board – as they will oversee the whole club for Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
But the running of the club will be down to new CEO Omar Berrada – who is arriving from Manchester City and the new sporting director – which will be Dan Ashworth, once they have finalised his arrival via Newcastle United.
They are planning on bringing in a recruitment chief and a technical director who will focus on the academy and youth – a role they have Southampton’s Jason Wilcox lined up for.
The recruitment role they have a number of ideas including Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman – but HITC understands hurdles have arisen with his possible arrival at the club.
Manager talks
In terms of the manager, the club have held extensive talks with Ten Hag – which have also included Ratcliffe.
As HITC previously revealed Ratcliffe assured Ten Hag earlier in the year that he was backing him. Ratcliffe is understood to appreciate the Dutchman’s approach to his side, particularly his management of the club’s youth products – which is key to INEOS’ belief of how United move forward.
And whilst the player’s opinions would and will not have a huge bearing on any managerial appointment – the belief in Ten Hag from the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund is a major plus point for him.
HITC understands that Ten Hag, during talks, has assured Ratcliffe and Brailsford that he wants to concentrate his efforts on coaching and working with the players – the same way in which he worked at Ajax. Very much the European model, which United will be adopting.
Ten Hag role
Ten Hag became involved in transfers last summer, at the behest of the then hierarchy and Ratcliffe – who has previously questioned the workings of the club – acknowledges this and, as it stands, feels the club should not make a change at the top, unless they need to.
That does mean that whilst Ten Hag is firmly in position to lead United next season, they have to finish the season well -and whilst the does not mean a top-four finish or winning the FA Cup, it will mean them their form not dropping off considerably – if their is a downturn in their performances, the club will look elsewhere.
As such the club are, and have been, doing their due diligence on potential options, as HITC has confirmed – they have admiration for England boss Gareth Southgate, former Chelsea chief Graham Potter and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi. HITC is also told that some at INEOS – are also hugely impressed with the work being done at Tottenham by Ange Postecoglou.
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