Just three months after INEOS decided Erik ten Hag was the man they wanted at the helm long-term, they’re back to the drawing board contemplating the Dutchman’s potential successors.
It was nothing short of a turbulent summer for Ten Hag before the season began. Manchester United’s dismal end to the Premier League campaign, which saw them record their worst-ever finish in eighth place, prompted widespread speculation that he’d be relieved of his duties regardless of how the side fared in the FA Cup final.
Yet, a convincing and triumphant FA Cup final win over Manchester City in May seemingly led to the owners U-turning in their decision. It was confirmed in early July that Ten Hag would not only be staying at Old Trafford for the term ahead but also that he would put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension.
Some reports had suggested that INEOS’ failure to agree terms with other candidates, such as Thomas Tuchel, left them little to no choice but to stick with what they had. iNews has revealed that the German coach was ‘close’ to succeeding Ten Hag over the summer, but a deal failed to materialise due to ‘disagreements over how much power’ he would have, as well as the ‘financial package’.
INEOS have plans in place for Ten Hag’s impending exit
The report adds that talks were held with Mauricio Pochettino, now head coach of the United States national team, and Thomas Frank the night before the FA Cup final. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s preferred choices would be either Graham Potter or Gareth Southgate, though the latter would certainly cause uproar amongst the Old Trafford faithful.
Sam Cunningham, iNews’ Chief Football Correspondent, says that United are ‘expected to resume talks with Thomas Tuchel if they decide to part ways with Erik ten Hag’ ahead of or after Sunday’s ‘make-or-break’ fixture away at Aston Villa.
Tuchel, a Champions League-winning manager with Chelsea in 2021, has taken a break from the managerial spotlight following his Bayern Munich exit upon the culmination of the 2023/2024 season.
