Manchester United’s hopes for a turnaround in their UEFA Champions League campaign were shattered with a 1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford during the group stage fixture of Matchday 6 on Tuesday. The Red Devils subsequently finished at the bottom of Group A, concluding their upsetting European season.
Given the recent results, the pressure is mounting on Erik ten Hag’s position as the head coach of the club, with the potential for the Dutchman to be sacked. A few potential candidates are being linked to replacing Ten Hag at Manchester United as their new manager.
Who will replace Erik ten Hag if Manchester United fire him?
Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford has frequently faced criticism, despite an impressive last season with a top-four finish in the Premier League and a long-awaited triumph in the EFL Cup. The current season, however, has overshadowed his past successes. As things stand, the Dutch boss needs to turn things around before it gets too late.
In June 2022, the 53-year-old was appointed as the new boss and still has 18 months left on the contract until 2025, which he signed upon his arrival from Ajax. However, the current circumstances amid the INEOS Group – led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s potential 25% ownership takeover – might pose a threat to his job.
Surprisingly, some former Premier League managers are on the potential list to be the new boss at Old Trafford. The list includes prominent names, and former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui has emerged as the top candidate, as reported by the Spanish outlet Relevo.
Currently, Lopetegui is without any club. The Spanish tactician has managed prominent clubs such as Real Madrid and Sevilla. His recent spell was at the EPL side Wolves, where under his management, the club climbed to finish in the 13th position from the bottom last season.
Additionally, another name strongly linked is the former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter, whose work is greatly admired by the new investors, Jim Ratcliffe, and the company.
Manchester United create unwanted history
Recently, Manchester United set unwanted records in the UEFA Champions League, becoming the first-ever English side to concede 15 goals with only a single victory in the group stage.
However, they have achieved another record they won’t fancy, writing history as the first Premier League team at the bottom on two occasions in the 2005/06 and 2023/24 seasons, respectively.
In the midst of the rolling turmoil, the Red Devils will make the weekend trip to Anfield to face the league leaders, Jurgen Klopp-led Liverpool, who won’t make things easy for them.
United is currently 10 points behind their opponents, residing in sixth place on the league table. Overall, the club has suffered 12 defeats in 24 matches across all competitions this term.
