Erik ten Hag enjoyed a highly successful first season with Manchester United, guiding them to victory in the Carabao Cup, reaching the FA Cup final, and securing a coveted spot in the Champions League.
The current season has presented significant challenges for the team, currently sitting in the sixth position in the Premier League standings. Their Champions League journey is hanging by a thread, and a shocking exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Newcastle has further intensified the team’s woes.
Compounding the issues are controversies surrounding Ten Hag, notably with star signing Jadon Sancho. The £73 million acquisition found himself ousted from the first team following a public fallout with the Dutch manager. The pressure on Ten Hag has increased, exacerbated by the inconsistent form of key players such as Antony, Marcus Rashford, and Casemiro.
Despite United expressing a desire to support Ten Hag amid ownership challenges off the pitch, reports suggest that the club is exploring alternative options for the managerial position. Bookmakers now rank Ten Hag as one of the most likely Premier League managers to face the axe, especially after Sheffield United parted ways with Paul Heckingbottom.
Zinedine Zidane emerges as the frontrunner to potentially succeed Ten Hag, with odds of 7/2. However, Zidane’s previous reluctance to take up a role in England due to language barriers adds a layer of uncertainty to this prospect.
Graham Potter, unemployed since his departure from Chelsea, follows closely as the second favorite at 4/1. Roberto De Zerbi, who succeeded Potter at Brighton, is also a strong contender with odds of 10/1.
Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim and Germany’s current manager, Julian Nagelsmann, are both available at 10/1. Nagelsmann’s predecessor, Hansi Flick, lags behind at 12/1. Former United midfielder Michael Carrick is an outsider with odds of 12/1, while experienced manager Antonio Conte, formerly of Chelsea and Tottenham, stands at 16/1.
Kieran McKenna, a former United coach now leading Ipswich Town, offers an interesting outsider option at 20/1. His promising performance at Ipswich, currently in the Championship promotion spots, adds intrigue to his potential return. As the managerial speculations intensify, the uncertain future of Ten Hag at Manchester United continues to dominate the football landscape.
