Every day in the lead-up to the FA Cup final there has been speculation over managerial candidates in the running to succeed Erik ten Hag, despite the fact INEOS have yet to decide whether they will back or sack the Dutchman.
It proves how cutthroat the beautiful game is. Ten Hag has never been the most popular among the media, but at least he’s admired by like-minded Reds. That’s why I believe there is still many of us who believe the manager should be given a shot at a third season in charge, especially with there being no outstanding candidates out there.
While the Italian press talk up the idea of former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi being a top candidate, The Guardian has tipped Thomas Tuchel as the frontrunner to replace Ten Hag should the club decide on a change.
Jamie Jackson reports: “He [Tuchel] is understood to have the requisite profile as an accomplished tactician with vast experience of working in major clubs.”
The Guardian reporter adds: “There is confidence at United that he has the temperament to handle seasoned players and an admiration of a CV that includes winning the 2021 Champions League with Chelsea.”
Tuchel recently became a free agent having just finished with Bayern Munich. He joins a shortlist in the report that includes Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, England manager Gareth Southgate and Mauricio Pochettino, who left Chelsea on Tuesday.
It is worth noting that the report relays what everyone else is saying, in that a definite decision will be made on Ten Hag’s future after Saturday’s FA Cup final.
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