A recently-sacked Premier League manager could be the new helmsman in Manchester United’s dugout, replacing under-pressure gaffer Erik ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag led United to their 13th FA Cup title on Saturday, May 25 at Wembley, seeing off fierce domestic and cross-city rivals Manchester City.
It was his second trophy and third final in two years with the Old Trafford outfit. However, it is understood the triumph isn’t enough to secure the future of the Dutchman at Old Trafford as manager.
Speculations have been rife United will part ways with him after what has been a not-so-stellar second season with the club in the just-concluded 2023-24 Premier League season.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio revealed United had long made the decision to part ways with the 54-year-old irrespective of the outcome of the FAu Cup final clash against City.
The report adds some names have been shortlisted and discussed internally by the club as potential replacements for the Dutchman.
Now, according to Matt Hudges of the Daily Mail, Roberto De Zerbi, who recently lost his job as Brighton manager, has emerged as a top candidate to replace Erik ten Hag.
De Zerbi, 44, has reportedly topped an exclusive list of candidates for the coveted role at Old Trafford featuring highly-sought Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna and former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, including another former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel.
Amidst the report linking De Zerbi to United, Futballnews understands the club have yet to part ways with Erik ten Hag with reports a decision on the manager’s future will be taken soon.
Before the FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City, ten Hag had been pretty optimistic about his chances in the United dugout despite the club’s dwindling fortunes. However, after the triumph, he changed the tone on the sack rumors, firing a point-blank message to the club’s hierarchy, saying, “I will go if they don’t want me.”
Apart from Manchester United, De Zerbi was also been linked to the vacant managerial position at Chelsea but has been ruled out of the race with Enzo Maresca of Leicester City emerging as a top candidate.
