Erik ten Hag looks to be treading on thin ice, again. The fact that his job security is a weekly conversation tells you all you need to know about how embattled the Manchester United boss is.
Winning the FA Cup in May proved a soothing reprieve but United still sounded out half a dozen bosses to replace him over the summer, an underhand but not uncommon strategy which ended up a PR embarrassment.
Now, on the back of their worst Premier League season ever, the Red Devils have had their joint-worst start to a campaign since the top flight rebranded in 1992.
Ten Hag is set to be kept in charge for at least this week’s games against Porto and Aston Villa, but with the strict proviso that results must improve immediately. The next week will not only make his United career, but it could break it.
If things go south, a certain seat in the United dugout could soon be empty. With that in mind, here are some of the options that could be in the discussion.
Erik ten Hag is under immense pressure at Man United after a disappointing start to the season
Club chiefs are backing him for now but the next week could break his Red Devils career
Mail Sport looks at the options that Sir Jim Ratcliffe could turn to if things go south
Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel became the frontrunner for a potential vacancy after impressing Sir Jim Ratcliffe during talks in Monaco, Mail Sport reported in July.
The former Chelsea and PSG boss has a track record of managing elite clubs and delivering trophies quickly, though his tenures tend to combust after a couple of years amid souring relations.
Tuchel’s overriding emotion this summer is that he needed a break from football after leaving Bayern Munich, but it would be no surprise if he was appointed as Ten Hag’s successor.
Thomas Tuchel would be one of the frontrunners to replace Ten Hag after impressing Ratcliffe
Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate has been one of the bookies’ favourites throughout speculation over Ten Hag’s future and has admirers at the highest level in United’s structure.
Four deep major tournament runs with England show his potential and he would fit Ratcliffe’s priorities of building a long-term project and honing English talent.
However, his somewhat conservative tactics, and the fact he has not managed at club level since 2009, stand against him.
Similarly, Mail Sport reported this summer that it is ‘highly unlikely’ he would be offered the top job.
Gareth Southgate has been linked but Mail Sport reported it is ‘highly unlikely’ he will join
Xavi
Xavi is available on the back of leaving Barcelona this summer, having led them to one LaLiga title after joining in 2021 amid a fraught financial period.
Spanish outlet SPORT claimed that Xavi actively wants to manage in the Premier League and his pedigree is undeniable.
However, he never quite managed to orchestrate a trademark style with Barca, and there are questions over his durability, despite winning the Spanish top-flight.
In January he announced his intention to resign due to struggling mentally with the ‘cruel’ environment, then in April he sensationally u-turned… before he was sacked in May anyway.
Xavi is available and reportedly wants to work in England after doing a decent job at Barca
Julian Nagelsmann
Julian Nagelsmann is contracted with the German national team until the 2026 World Cup and after encouraging signs at the Euros it would be a struggle to extract him from the job.
The 37-year-old is one of Europe’s most talented coaches and despite his sacking at Bayern, he still won them a domestic double in 2021-22 and was successful at Hoffenheim and Leipzig before that.
However, The Telegraph claimed earlier this year that United chiefs did not see him as a tactical fit and his leaky record late on in games is a blot on his copybook.
United would have to have an excellent sales pitch to lure Julian Nagelsmann from Germany
Graham Potter
Graham Potter was reportedly high on the list of United’s favoured alternatives last season and he recently confirmed to The Telegraph that he is ready to get back into management.
His career has followed an upward trajectory for the most part thanks to his thoughtful man-management and appealing brand of football.
He has been unemployed since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, for which his reputation took a hit, though Mail Sport’s Riath Al-Samarrai questioned how much he could be held accountable amid Chelsea’s ‘burning circus’.
Graham Potter was apparently high on United’s summer shortlist but he took a hit at Chelsea
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane’s name is going to be linked to every top job for as long as people remember he won three consecutive Champions Leagues in his first stint managing Real Madrid.
His command of elite stars, tactical flexibility, and exciting play style earned him rave reviews alongside his trophy successes. Oh, and he’s currently unattached.
The major sticking point? He told L’Equipe this month that he is reluctant to work in England due to the language barrier, with good communication being an important asset to him.
Zinedine Zidane does not want to manage in England despite being out of managerial work
Other options
There is some clamour for Ruud van Nistelrooy who joined United as assistant manager this summer and won the KNVB Cup managing PSV in 2022-23. Could be a popular interim option.
United held talks with Kieran McKenna in the run-up to the FA Cup final, but he went on to ink a contract extension until 2028 with Ipswich Town. He was an assistant to Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.
Roberto De Zerbi, who joined Marseille in the summer, and Brentford manager Thomas Frank were also candidates earlier this year.