Football

Who Should Replace Erik Ten Hag as Next Manchester United Manager – 3 Realistic Candidates to Take Over As New Head Coach

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James Lloyd
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James Lloyd Sports Editor

James is a sports writer specialising in football news, betting, and statistics. He also writes about various other sports, including tennis, boxing, and MMA. His work has been featured on multiple online sports platforms, including Sports Lens and Breaking The Lines. James holds a Master's degree in Sport & Exercise Physiology and currently works as a Video Scout for 360 Scouting.

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Published28 Oct 2024

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Thomas Frank – Brentford Manager

Manchester United have finally pulled the plug on Erik ten Hag’s reign following another poor run of results, and fans are already debating about who should replace the Dutchman as the next manager.

Ruud van Nistelrooy will carry the duty in the short term, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS must have a longer-term plan in mind in terms of appointing the right coach.

There are already a plethora of names out there being linked – with the likes of Julian Nagelsman, Gareth Southgate, and Graham Potter, among others, being touted – but SportsCasting have picked out the three best (realistic) candidates to take over as the next manager.

3 Candidates To Replace Erik Ten Hag As Next Man Utd Manager

Thomas Frank

Brentford manager Thomas Frank is a name heavily linked with replacing Ten Hag as the next United manager. He might not be the elite trophy-winning coach that most fans are crying out for, but it could be a very shrewd appointment. To just dismiss the Danishman based solely on his CV would be a horrendously shortsighted mistake.

The truth is that Manchester United aren’t the same dominant force they once were – and haven’t been for over ten years. It’s time for the club to let go of the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson and reinvent itself under the INEOS leadership, and Frank could be the way to go to start that.

One of Frank’s greatest strengths is his tactical flexibility. He’s not afraid to experiment with different formations and playing styles, adapting to the strengths and weaknesses of his squad and the opposition. Whether it’s dominating possession or hitting teams on the counter-attack, Frank has shown that he can make the right adjustments to get the desired result.

Frank’s leadership qualities are evident in the way he has transformed Brentford into a competitive Premier League side. He inspires his players with his passion and enthusiasm – something Ten Hag unfortunately lacked – and he has created a strong team culture based on hard work, dedication, and a collective desire to succeed. This could be exactly what United need to restore their winning mentality and re-establish themselves as a dominant force in English football.

Xavi

Again, not all United fans might be on side with appointing Xavi as their next manager, but the Spaniard’s credentials are quite impressive considering his short coaching career thus far. Having taken over a struggling Barcelona side in the middle of the season, he quickly implemented a clear style of play, guiding them to a second-place finish. Then, in his first full season, he secured the La Liga title.

Xavi’s impact on individual players has also been significant. He rejuvenated Arsenal’s out-of-favour Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and got big contributions from the likes of Adama Traore and Luuk De Jong. His tactical acumen was evident in his victories over both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in La Liga at the first time of asking – and he even boasts a 100% win record against Atletico’s Diego Simeone.

Xavi clearly enjoys developing young players too. He played a crucial role in the breakthroughs of Ansu Fati and Fermin Lopez, among others. His ability to attract top talent was demonstrated in his success in convincing players like Jules Kounde, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski to join Barcelona. Overall, the former Barcelona coach is an enticing candidate.

Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim was almost appointed first as Tottenham manager before Ange Postecoglou and then also as Liverpool manager before Arne Slot, so it’s clear the Portuguese coach is highly thought of within the game.

Amorim is particularly known for his effective use of the 3-4-3 formation, which has transformed Sporting CP into a formidable force in both domestic and European competition. His ability to blend attacking flair with solid defensive organisation has been crucial to his team’s consistent high-level performances.

During Amorim’s tenure, Sporting CP have secured the league title twice and the Portuguese League Cup on two occasions, solidifying his reputation as a tactician capable of delivering results.

Ultimately, Amorim is a fascinating candidate. His success at Sporting CP and his tactical intelligence, especially with his 3–4–3 system, mark him as a rising star in European football. Of course, it remains to be seen whether he’s fully prepared to handle the immense pressure of a club like Manchester United, which is currently in a challenging position. The leap from a club like Sporting to United is massive, but the potential is there as an exciting long-term option.