In an update that very few Manchester United fans will take kindly to, Gareth Southgate has been deemed the club’s ‘priority’ target to replace Erik ten Hag.
That comes from the Independent this afternoon, which claims that the Red Devils hierarchy are still continuing their full assessment of the 2023/2024 campaign as well as Ten Hag’s tenure as a whole up to this stage. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. are adamant about making the right decision, given that it’s their ‘first big call’ of the INEOS era.
Meanwhile, the Dutchman – like fans – is growing frustrated with the tedious wait. He is actively ‘pushing for clarity’, and the situation could result in him leaving by ‘mutual consent’.
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Southgate rules out United talks ahead of Euro 2024
However, the delay is largely due to Southgate’s preparation for the Euros with England, as the manager has ruled out any negotiations until after the tournament has concluded on July 14. It’d certainly be an awkward reunion with Marcus Rashford, whom he omitted from his squad, should he be chosen to succeed Ten Hag.
Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel have all been considered by United chiefs, with only the Brentford boss under contract with a club.
Miguel Delaney’s report adds: “United’s new senior figures like Sir Dave Brailsford have worked with Southgate in the past, and one reason he has become the main target for the job is the belief that he can be the figurehead for a wider cultural change at the club in the same way he did with England.
A strong coaching staff would similarly be developed underneath him, to go with the new football structure above. The protracted wait for Dan Ashworth’s arrival has illustrated that Ineos are willing to wait for exactly the right man in the most important positions.”
I’ve simply no idea why it’s thought Southgate could in any way be our Manager. He has the cream of English talent to pick from and needs only to decide the formation and pick the starting 11. Remembering the excessively cautious approach against Italy, does anyone think he’s capable of bringing the swashbuckling football we’ve been brought up on and crave? He clearly wants the job – who wouldn’t?- as he’s angling for England to fall short again by excluding Rashford & Grealish: two you might look for to provide a spark coming off the bench. Ideally, earlier than 85th minute…
Wrong man, wrong choice. Think again.
Oh Lord!! GOD Save Us From More Lower End Modiocre Managers!! Southgate?!? For Real?!? (To use an Urban American Expression)!! When We Have Poch, Right There For The Plucking?!? Man!! We Are Gluttons For Even More Extended Punishment!!
Oh, Well!! And We Wonder Why We Are In A Vicious Cycle Of Mid Table Mediocricy?!? We Just Never Learn!! Keep ETH If We Are Going To Bring In Southgate!! It’s The Ole Gunnar Solskaer Scenario All Over Again!! We Sack A Known Commodity, With High Potential, And We Bring In Even Lower Level Mediocres As Replacements!! At Least We Know What We Have With ETH!! And his Unrealized Potential Is Still Better Than Southgate, Even If ETH Ends Up Not Working Out For Us!! ENOUGH ALREADY!!
I’ve been keen on Poch ever since he left Spurs, and I was chastised by many United fans for my preference of him over EtH (even though I was fine with either of them unlike most fans who would hate on Poch if they wanted EtH or vice versa).
I really don’t mind if EtH stays, but if he doesn’t, I’ll be livid if we hire anyone other than Poch.
Southgate has won nothing in his whole career, has had the pick of England’s best and still won nothing. Best stick with10 hag