Xabi Alonso Linked With Manchester United Job As Erik Ten Hag Departure Nears

Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso may replace Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager, as the Dutchman’s time at Old Trafford dwindles.

After the Red Devils suffered a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in their most recent Premier League match, pressure has built on the Dutchman.

United were also held to a 1-1 draw by FC Twente in their opening match in the Europa League and drew to Crystal Palace in the match prior.

These results have seriously impacted the future of ten Hag, who came under fire last season as the Red Devils finished eighth in the Premier League.

A victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final appeared to save his job for another year, but this may have just been papering over cracks at Old Trafford.

With that said, we asked AI to pick its top five candidates to become the next Manchester United manager and Bayer Leverkusen boss, Xabi Alonso, has been selected as the leading option.

AI Picks Top 5 Managers To Replace Erik Ten Hag

1. Xabi Alonso
2. Ruud Van Nistelrooy 
3. Unai Emery
4. Eddie Howe
5. Kieran McKenna

The Spaniard has achieved huge things in his short span as a manager, going undefeated in the Bundesliga and bringing Leverkusen their first league title.

The German side also reached the Europa League final, but were swept aside by Atalanta thanks to an Ademola Lookman hat-trick.

Becoming the next Manchester United manager would be a stunning decision by Alonso, due to his links with United’s fierce rivals – Liverpool.

Liverpool were heavily linked with Alonso after Jurgen Klopp announced his departure from the club, but the Reds opted for Arne Slot.

The AI has also picked two managers who have worked, or are working, in secondary coaching roles at Old Trafford with Ruud Van Nistlerooy and Kieran McKenna being selected.

The latter has established himself as a top manager after earning back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League with Ipswich Town.

As for Van Nistelrooy, he earned his stripes as the head coach at PSV before taking the assistant role under ten Hag at Old Trafford.

The AI software has also chosen two experienced, with the aforementioned all starting their journeys within the last five years – selecting Unai Emery and Eddie Howe.

Emery has lead several teams to success across Europe and is now continuing to progress at Aston Villa – earning a place in the Champions League for the first time.

Similarly, Eddie Howe caught the eye at Bournemouth going from League Two to the Premier League and is now building his name at Newcastle.

AI Reasoning For Xabi Alonso

Following Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford, the club’s board is set to sack Erik Ten Hag, with Xabi Alonso being lined up as the new manager.

Alonso, who has been impressing as Bayer Leverkusen’s head coach after winning the clubs’ first Bundesliga title, is seen as the ideal candidate to bring a fresh tactical approach and revitalization to the club.

The board feel they have given Ten Hag enough time to implement his style and buy the players he wants, but the club seems to be getting worse rather than better and Alonso could be the answer for United.