Erik ten Hag has lately conducted talks with Manchester United about taking over at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have suffered in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure and are now looking forward to the beginning of a new era. Despite recent developments, the 52-year-old is not the Scot’s favoured option to take over at Old Trafford.
There are various candidates in the running to be Manchester United’s next manager.
Mauricio Pochettino was previously thought to be the favourite, but with Paris Saint-Germain failing to fulfill expectations at the Parc des Princes this season, he could be dismissed of his duties shortly.
Julen Lopetegui has rebuilt his reputation at Sevilla following a difficult stint at Real Madrid, where he failed to get the best out of his A-list players after his arrival in 2018.
Luis Enrique, Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto Mancini, and Carlo Ancelotti have also been mentioned.
However, in the last 24 hours, it has seemed increasingly likely that Ten Hag will be handed the keys to Old Trafford.
The Dutchman has been interviewed for the post and has impressed, with United chief executive John Murtough overseeing the process from behind the scenes.
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Ten Hag, though, is not Ferguson’s personal pick to replace Ralf Rangnick, according to the Daily Star.
Instead, the Scot believes Pochettino has the best opportunity of reawakening a sleeping giant and resurrecting the golden days.
Ferguson has long admired the Argentine, with whom he dined when Pochettino was manager of Southampton.
Ferguson actually wanted the 49-year-old to take over at United before Jose Mourinho was appointed in 2016, shortly after Louis van Gaal was fired.
And two-and-a-half years later, it was a same story, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer eventually replacing Mourinho.
Ferguson has felt marginalized since his retirement nine years ago, saddened by the fact that United no longer seeks his advice.
And if Ten Hag is granted the keys to the club remains to be seen, especially with other European powerhouses interested in the Dutchman.
According to Dutch football analyst Marcel van der Kraan, the Ajax manager is interested in a job other than the one in England.
“There are three key opportunities for Erik ten Hag,” Sky Sports’ Van der Kraan said.
“Manchester United is one of them.” I don’t want to dampen the euphoria in England, but it’s possible that United haven’t completed all of their preparations.
“They have had positive talks with Ten Hag, but so have two other prominent European clubs.”
“These are clubs who compete in the Champions League and have a chance to win trophies in their own country.”
“One of those clubs is extremely concrete for Ten Hag, and I believe it is on the continent of Europe, not in England.”
“I know Ten Hag is quite thrilled about that job as well.”
“If Manchester United want to get things rolling, they’ll have to speed things up and make things solid,” he continued.
“For Ten Hag, the graveyard Manchester United has been for managers may be a consideration.”
“Not everything has gone right for United throughout his career, as Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all failed and had their reputations harmed.”
“United needs to be more compelling.”
Following the international break, United will face Leicester.
Brendan Rodgers was previously associated with the Red Devils post, but with Leicester City underperforming, he is no longer in the running.
