The Dutch manager, Erik ten Hag, is earnestly striving to restore discipline and order within Manchester United’s first-team, yet the outcomes on the field seem to be working against him.
With the potential partial takeover of the club by Sir Jim Ratcliffe looming, the next 10 days, featuring three consecutive home games against Chelsea, Bournemouth, and Bayern Munich, carry significant weight. The looming fixture against Liverpool at Anfield on December 17 could be pivotal and potentially define ten Hag’s era at the club, especially with a desire to avoid a repeat of the previous 7-0 defeat.
Despite ten Hag’s efforts, the club is reportedly considering a change in leadership, indicating that regardless of the manager’s performance in the upcoming games, his tenure might be reaching its conclusion.
According to AS, Julen Lopetegui, the former manager of Wolves and previously controversially sacked from the Spanish national team, is being lined up as a potential replacement.
Lopetegui, who recently turned down a substantial €18 million per season offer to manage in Saudi Arabia, is currently a free agent, providing flexibility for a swift transition if needed. The potential addition of Lopetegui suggests that Manchester United is actively exploring alternatives, casting a shadow over ten Hag’s future at the helm.
The upcoming series of crucial fixtures, including high-profile encounters and the potential takeover, intensify the pressure on ten Hag.
The specter of a managerial change looms large, with Lopetegui emerging as a viable option should the club decide to make a move. The next few games will undoubtedly carry significant implications for both ten Hag and the trajectory of Manchester United’s season, with the club’s leadership closely monitoring developments and prepared to act decisively if needed.
