A recent report has disclosed that Manchester United is “highly unlikely” to pursue former England manager Gareth Southgate if they decide to replace Erik ten Hag in the near future.
This revelation comes in the wake of Southgate’s announcement on Tuesday that he would step down as the head coach of the England national team after their 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
This match marked England’s second consecutive major tournament final, following their penalty shootout loss to Italy in the 2021 European Championship.
Even before Southgate made his intentions to leave the England team public, there had been speculation linking him with a potential move to Manchester United as a replacement for Erik ten Hag, who has been under pressure as the club’s manager.
However, Manchester United has since secured Ten Hag’s future at the club by extending his contract, ensuring that the Dutchman will remain at the helm until 2026. According to the *Daily Mail*, even if United experiences a rough start to the 2023/24 season, the club is not likely to consider Southgate as a candidate for the managerial position.
Instead, if the need arises to find a new manager, Manchester United would more likely turn their attention to Thomas Tuchel, the former Chelsea manager.
Tuchel was among the names considered as a potential replacement for Ten Hag earlier this summer after he decided to leave Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga side he had been managing. Despite the admiration for Southgate within certain circles, particularly from INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United is reportedly not inclined to bring him on board.
United’s focus remains on ensuring the success of Ten Hag’s tenure. The club has already taken steps to strengthen the squad in support of the manager, with the recent signing of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee being announced on Sunday. This addition is aimed at bolstering United’s attacking options as they prepare for the upcoming season.
In addition to Zirkzee’s arrival, there are also reports suggesting that Manchester United is close to securing the signing of Leny Yoro, a highly-rated defender from Lille. The 17-year-old Yoro, who has been linked with Real Madrid, is expected to travel to England to undergo a medical examination and discuss personal terms with Manchester United.
Overall, while Manchester United remains committed to backing Erik ten Hag, the club is also making strategic moves in the transfer market to enhance the team’s capabilities.
Despite the speculation surrounding Gareth Southgate’s future and potential interest from United, the club appears to be focused on other managerial options should the need for a change arise, with Thomas Tuchel being a more likely candidate if Ten Hag’s tenure were to come under serious threat.
