Erik ten Hag has been under massive pressure at Manchester United and can no longer hide from criticism amid the club’s poor start.
Following the defeat in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, 1st November, 2023, pressure is mounting on Ten Hag and he might likely be axed soon.
Manchester United are currently eighth in the English Premier League and have also lost five matches at Old Trafford this season.
So far, the Dutchman has led United to 8 losses in 15 matches this season, less than Jose Mourinho had (6 losses in 17 matches) before he was sacked.
United under Erik ten Hag are also not doing so well in the Champions League losing to Galatasaray and Bayern Munich and just managing a 1-0 win against Copenhagen.
United face Fulham, Copenhagen, and Luton before the next international break, and more defeats could send Erik ten Hag out of the club.
However, Futballnews has highlighted seven managers that could replace the former Ajax coach should he be sacked by United;
Diego Simeone
Simeone has been the manager of Atletico Madrid for 12 years and is said to be unwilling to take on a new task.
His contract does, however, expire after this season, and to secure a new contract, the best-paid manager in the world reportedly has to accept a 20% salary reduction.
His no-nonsense demeanor and aptitude for setting up a back four could solve United’s defensive problems, as the team has conceded three goals in its last six games this season.
Graham Potter
Recall we reported that Potter was fired after just seven months at Chelsea as he failed to perform.
Since then, he has not managed any team and is looking for work that fits him.
When Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes his 25% acquisition of the club, he and his executives will be in charge of football choices.
The billionaire and his sidekick Sir Dave Brailsford are big fans of the former Blues manager and they once wanted him in charge of Nice.
The former Brighton and Chelsea manager is apparently also a target for 2022/23 Scudetto winners Napoli.
Julian Nagelsmann
In March, Nagelsmann was unexpectedly fired by Bayern Munich, even though the team was still in the Champions League and headed for the Bundesliga title.
Recall we also reported that Nagelsmann has since been appointed boss of the German national team.
However, after the summer Euros, the tactically adaptable coach might decide club management is more suitable.
Amongst others, the former Hoffenheim, Leipzig, and Bayern Munich manager could be a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag.
Micheal Carrick
During their tenures as managers, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho worked with the legendary Manchester United player.
However, he left to take over at Middlesbrough and kick-start his own managing career.
With his thrilling style of play, the 42-year-old made an impression in the Championship last season, helping Boro reach the play-offs.
This season, Middlesbrough are just three points outside of the top six and given that he knows United in and out, he’s a favorite to replace Erik ten Hag.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
It may be possible for Solskjaer to return to the dugout. The Norwegian hasn’t done so since being fired by United in November 2021.
After he was fired, the Red Devils appointed Ralf Rangnick as an interim, and he would be a viable choice if they decide to hold off on hiring a new manager until the summer after the takeover.
In the past, Solskjaer has criticized the team for failing to sign the players he desired while he was manager, revealing that some of them even turned down the opportunity to be captain.
However, with the former striker returning with figures that are uncomfortably close to that of Erik ten Hag, things might not get much worse.
Roberto De Zerbi
After leading Brighton into the Europa League for the first time with his own style of play, De Zerbi has been linked to other high-profile positions.
By allowing Graham to join Chelsea, the Seagulls showed their willingness to let their manager go for the appropriate deal.
It might cost Manchester United a lot of money to bring in De Zerbi as a possible replacement for underperforming Ten Hag.
However, he might not be able to pass up the chance to clean up the mess at Old Trafford.
Zinedine Zidane
The legendary midfielder won three Champions Leagues and two LaLiga championships during his time at Real Madrid.
He was previously linked to the Manchester United position, and the bookies presently rank him as one of the favorites because there isn’t a clear front-runner to succeed Erik ten Hag.
