Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United discuss alternative candidates for the managerial position despite Erik ten Hag interview
According to ESPN, Manchester United have taken the decision to consider multiple candidates regarding the vacant permanent manager job at Old Trafford ahead of the new season, despite already interviewing Erik ten Hag.
Earlier in the week, the Red Devils were said to have met Ajax Amsterdam boss Erik ten Hag to discuss the prospect of the Dutchman leading the Manchester club next term and hash out other details.
In spite of this meeting, United have plans to speak to other alternatives for the role of manager permanent manager, once Ralf Rangnick finishes his tenure as interim boss in the summer. It is said that exploratory, informal talks have already taken place with a number of potential candidates.
The club has also seemingly drawn up a shortlist of options they consider to be worthy of the vacancy in the side, with names like Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino, Spain head coach Luis Enrique and Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui in the running for the job apart from ten Hag.
Unattainable alternatives
At this stage in the managerial hunt, it is said that ten Hag and Pochettino are the leading candidates to be offered the job. The bosses at Old Trafford are determined to undertake a thorough process before identifying the new manager, in order to avoid past mistakes with their managerial appointments.
In this regard, they have eyed other alternatives as well, with Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, Italy head Roberto Mancini, and Bayern Munich’s Julian Nagelsmann in the running. However, these targets are thought to be either unsuitable or unattainable.
United fans can hardly be surprised about the alternative options considered by the club to be unattainable, given their current status at their respective sides. Ancelotti and Nagelsmann are focussed on leading their teams to the league title this season, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich on top of the league tables and on course to lift the trophy in the summer.
Mancini has had an excellent Euro 2020 with Italy last year, and later in 2022, the Italian is preparing to lead the national side to the World Cup in Qatar. It would be surprising if the former Manchester City boss gives up his current job to lead United out next season, given the timing of the World Cup.
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Tuchel, meanwhile, may be facing an uncertain future at Chelsea given their recent crisis after club owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned, but it is not known whether the restrictions imposed on them are permanent or long-lasting. In such a situation, it may be a risk to actively pursue the German.
Clearly, there are a host of names linked with our club in the summer, with the hierarchy at Old Trafford determined to get their managerial appointment spot on. After all, the hunt for a fifth new boss in nine years does not augur well for the side and the next manager needs to be the best possible candidate available to the club.
