Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and the unattached Graham Potter are supposedly two of the leading contenders to replace Erik ten Hag as Manchester United boss.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and the unattached Graham Potter are supposedly two of the leading contenders to replace Erik ten Hag as Manchester United boss.
Dutchman Ten Hag has come under increasing pressure on the back of another pitiful start to the season, in which Man United have won just three of their first nine games in all competitions.
The Red Devils are winless in three heading into Thursday’s Europa League showdown with Porto, and the weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League was a low ebb.
The 20-time English champions are languishing in 13th place in the standings as a result of their underwhelming opening to the season, although Ten Hag has insisted that he is not panicking after the board’s show of faith in him over the summer.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe offered Ten Hag a stay of execution after Man United stunned rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final, but according to TEAMTalk, the Red Devils are now intensifying efforts to replace him.
Ratcliffe ‘wants British manager’ at Man United
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While Ten Hag was backed with a contract extension over the summer, the report claims that many at the Theatre of Dreams still want him gone, and Ratcliffe is now vetting candidates for the position.
The INEOS chief is supposedly keen to appoint a highly-regarded British manager, and two of his prime candidates are Howe and Potter, both of whom have also been strongly linked with the England gig.
The report adds that ‘serious discussions’ are now taking place about how to replace Ten Hag, even though the former Ajax head coach is optimistic that he can reverse Man United’s fortunes in the coming months.
Potter has been out of managerial work since being sacked by Chelsea in the 2022-23 season, although he recently confirmed that he was open to a new role, albeit without disclosing whether he had held talks with Man United.
The former Swansea City boss is supposedly ‘very keen’ to discuss a possible move to Old Trafford if the opportunity arises, and Man United have no concerns about his disappointing time in charge of Chelsea.
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Both Potter and current Newcastle boss Howe have connections with Man United director Dan Ashworth, who also worked alongside the former at Brighton & Hove Albion, although appointing Howe may prove more of a challenge.
Even though the 46-year-old’s relationship with the Newcastle hierarchy has taken a hit, Man United would have to pay the Magpies a hefty compensation fee, and it is believed that Howe would jump at the chance to manage England.
Who are the other candidates to replace Ten Hag?
Howe and Potter are said to be two of three English managers in contention for the job, a list completed by ex-England head coach Gareth Southgate, who is supposedly Ratcliffe’s personal choice.
However, the Euro 2020 and 2024 finalist is not thought to be a top contender for the job, and nor is Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi, who supposedly has no desire to leave the Italian champions anytime soon.