Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first pick to succeed Erik ten Hag at Manchester United is reportedly England manager Gareth Southgate.
According to the Daily Star, Ratcliffe’s INEOS Sports group have surveyed United legends about the possibility of changing managers, with Southgate emerging as the top candidate.
If I’m being totally honest, I find the links underwhelming at best. Ten Hag is a better football manager than Southgate and you will be unable to convince me otherwise.
Southgate is simply another underwhelming name being linked with the United job, even though Ten Hag could still end his second season on a high after qualifying for the FA Cup semi-finals.
The report suggests that Southgate has the support of the current United players, as well as Dan Ashworth, the incoming sporting director.
Southgate and Ashworth have worked together in the past at the Football Association.
With Euro 2024 taking place this summer, it sounds ridiculous that we could replace Ten Hag with a manager who will be pre-occupied during the summer.
United youngster Kobbie Mainoo has received his first call up to the senior England squad.
Hopefully, it’s only a matter of time before this rumour gets put to bed.
United should back Ten Hag
Ten Hag has suffered a few bumps in his second season in charge, but everyone can agree that he hasn’t been working in the best sporting environment since joining United as manager from Ajax.
That said, Ten Hag could end the season on a high with United still competing in the FA Cup as well as the race for a top four finish.
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