Former England manager Gareth Southgate is the top pick among the majority of key figures at Manchester United should the club decide to replace Erik ten Hag after a slow start to the 2024/25 season.
There have been non-stop reports speculating over Erik ten Hag’s future as manager, with most suggesting that the Dutchman has two matches to save his job.
Southgate has been named in the running for the job for months because of his relationship with INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, head of sport Sir Dave Brailsford and United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth.
According to iNews, Southgate is considered a top pick after his relationship with the United hierarchy grew closer since he became unemployed in the summer following England’s run to the Euro 2024 final.
Pete Hall reports: “Following his split from agent Terry Byrne, Southgate has hired Jimmy Worrall, founder of Leaders in Sport and a close friend of Ratcliffe and Brailsford, as his new manager.”
This suggests Southgate is making moves to return to football. Perhaps there is a job he is waiting for, although one that wouldn’t be popular among United fans.
The report adds Southgate and Brailsford are still in contact now having worked together on several occasions. Ashworth became close to Southgate when developing the England set-up at St George’s Park.
“Brailsford is especially persuasive,” one source told iNews. “He set his sights on Ashworth very early on and went all out to get his man. Southgate has been his top pick as coach since he walked in the door. I expect him to fight to convince others at United that Southgate is the right man.”
Another option for United should they sack Ten Hag is giving assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy a chance on an interim basis. Reports suggest the former striker would be open to the job.
It should go without saying that Van Nistelrooy would be a lot more popular than Southgate, especially at United. I wonder why there aren’t other top clubs knocking on Southgate’s door in a hurry…
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