By Alexis McClinton, Health Sciences ’26

 

Erik ten Hag has been with Manchester United since the summer of 2022. He took a strong approach and had a very promising start. However, this did not carry over to the 2023/24 season as his ambitions fell short, despite the addition of new players. This team has continuously fallen short of others within the Premier League resulting in their position diminishing and the title looking less reachable. This has intensified the speculation about tenHag’s future with the club, which has invited replacement contenders to be looked at. 

Within his debut as Man U manager, Erik ten Hag showed just what he can do in the position that he holds. He led the team to a top-four finish, resulting in the League Cup and reaching the Football Association (FA) final cup. After this immaculate season, fans, players, and coaches had very high expectations for the following season. There had been a great investment, £200 million, on players such as Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, and Andre Onana, so Man U was looking up. Despite these additions and the great end to the prior season, the team is struggling to perform as expected, raising concern for those who follow and support the Red Devils.

Manchester United’s management structure is looking to be very uncertain surrounding Erik ten Hag’s position. There has also been a great deal of speculation regarding the departure of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which is possibly going to create a managerial revamp. There has been a report of nine potential replacements for ten Hag, causing him to feel the pressure under his feet and push the team to perform like we all expected. 

In light of the speculation, it is important to evaluate the nine contenders for the Manchester United managerial role, based on factors such as likelihood, recent form, success, long-term option, and their style of play. 

1. Graham Potter: The front runner as he is the former boss over at Chelsea. He has the potential to build a long-term project and is known to make the game exciting for both players and spectators. 
2. Thomas Tuchel: Former Chelsea and current Bayern Munich manager. Has a great winning mentality which could push Manchester United to the position they have been striving for. 
3. Roberto De Zerbi: Current boss at Brighton which is drawing a lot of attention to himself due to his Europa League qualification. Potentially being looked at by many other teams in the Premier League, so this manager path could cause more challenges. 
4. Ruben Amorim: A young manager making great success at Sporting CP. He coaches with a very ambitious style which has the potential to align very well with Man U’s current aspirations. 
5. Julen Lopetegui: Recently departed with the Wolves, however he is a very experienced manager. He demands the respect he deserves and provides a realistic approach that could be very well suited for Manchester United as they attempt to build their success back up. 
6. Julian Nagelsmann: A German boss who is leading his team into the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. He is a great prospect for numerous managerial positions, however this is contingent upon his performance over the summer. 
7. Thomas Frank: As leader of Brentford, his stock has taken a dip due to their struggles, however, he has made some great achievements throughout his career and has a great passion for the game that often inspires teams which cannot be overlooked. 
8. Zinedine Zidane: He has led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles which creates a very distinguishable resume. However, he struggles with a language barrier that could keep him from being appointed to this position. 
9. Ange Postecoglou: He currently holds a position with the Tottenham Spurs which could make him a very challenging target for Manchester United. Both Man U and Tottenham are clawing for their spot in the Champions League. If Tottenham wins this race, then Postecoglou is looking less like an option for Manchester United as he will most likely stay with his current team, the Spurs. 

As the process of Manchester United getting through this transitional phase continues, the selection of ten Hag or another more suitable option will significantly impact the club’s future. Although there are many speculations about the next steps and who will take over, Man U must weigh all options and select a manager who will line up with the club’s ambitions and current staff and players.  

As Erik ten Hag’s future is uncertain, Manchester United has a very critical decision to make in the pursuit of success. There are a great deal of talented managers who would be great options for the role, however, those who make the decision must do so to preserve the club. Whether this means keeping ten Hag around to give him another chance or letting him go and bringing in another new manager, the coming months will be vital for Manchester United’s future.