Between 1986 and 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson masterfully managed Manchester United. Succeeding him would therefore be difficult for anyone trying to sit on the Red Devils bench. Which is indeed the case. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all failed. But the residents of Old Trafford had great hopes in Erik ten Hag. Successful on the bench of Ajax Amsterdam, the Dutchman was to give new impetus to the English team. To help him, the Mancunians have spent crazy sums to recruit Antony, Casemiro and Matthijs de Ligt.
Ten Hag is threatened
Despite disappointing results and rumors of departure, British leaders have always stood behind ETH. But the tide seems to be turning in recent days. The slap received against Tottenham (3-0 defeat) during the weekend seems to have left its mark. Yesterday, the English press did not give much of its skin. “The truth is, Ten Hag has no more excuses. His time has come. He no longer has a place to hide. His boasting about the minor trophies he won is worthless when his team plays like that,” said the DailyMail.
For his part, Ten Hag remained calm. “I’m not thinking about leaving. We all made the decision this summer to stay together, as an owner, as a management group. We also made the decision, after a clear analysis, what we need to improve and how we want to build a team. But we knew it would take time (…) We are all on the same wavelength or in the same boat, the managers, the staff and the players as well. I don’t have that worry.”
Two coaches are appreciated
Except that he may still start to worry this time. The English media assure that he is well “on the edge of the abyss“. THE Daily Mail also specifies that Sir Jim Ratcliffe intends to provide an update on the situation of his coach during the international break in October. A departure is not excluded. In addition, the Mancunians already have a name to replace him, ensuring that Daily Star as well as the DailyMail. Indeed, Simone Inzaghi really pleases MU. His high-level experience and the style of play he offers appeal to the English.
But this file will not be easy since he is stationed in Lombardy until June 2026. We would therefore have to wait until next summer to attempt this big move. But the English risk being in an emergency if Ten Hag is fired in the coming days. In the event of failure with Inzaghi, the English checked the name of Gareth Southgate as plan B. A simpler file for the Red Devils since he has been free and on the market since the end of his adventure at the head of the England national team. It remains to be seen whether the latter will be ready to dive back into the bath. To be continued…
