[
1
It's a dialog that nobody might see coming when Eric ten Hag was guiding Manchester United again into the Champions League and profitable the trophy.
Nevertheless, soccer strikes quick and after a disastrous second season, whispers about his job have now changed into noise, even when the supervisor himself is in retreat.
Nonetheless, there isn’t a smoke with out hearth and it’s enterprise as traditional for the membership to strategy potential candidates in the event that they must make a troublesome resolution on Ten Hag.
Journalist Rudy Galetti stories that United drew up a four-man preliminary shortlist that included Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Tuchel, Antonio Conte and Julen Lopetegui.
Then, in the previous few weeks of 2023, preliminary contacts have been made with Lopetegui and Conte.
Following the method, the Spanish coach has been dominated out of the operating, with Conte becoming a member of De Zerbi and Tuchel for the subsequent stage.
🚨🗣️ EXCL | within the final weeks of 2023 #man United contacted particular person #lopetegui And #conte,
📌 🇪🇦 Coach is not any extra #MUFCrecord of, whereas the previous #THFC Supervisor- collectively #dzerby and particularly #Tuchel – It’s nonetheless thought of a doable possibility for summer season. pic.twitter.com/RaPt8sm6g5
– Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) 28 February 2024
It's price noting that whereas there could possibly be extra names added to the shortlist earlier than the top of the season, Ten Hag's future at United has but to be determined.
An fascinating identify to look at is Graham Potter. The previous Chelsea participant will not be an thrilling selection at first look, however his subsequent transfer to Chelsea has compelled individuals to take a look at his tenure in a unique gentle.
Moreover, Potter is reportedly a favourite of INEOS, whom they tried to lure to their French membership OGC Good.
For now, it appears the membership are solely focusing on managers with prior Premier League expertise at a very good degree, who might rule out Lopetegui.
De Zerbi is the flavour of the season, whereas Conte and Tuchel's credentials communicate for themselves, even when they aren’t standard decisions because of their type of soccer and persona.
Amidst all of the noise, it’s typically forgotten that the job is up for grabs for Ten Hag, and a top-four end this season might put it aside, though that appears unlikely.