After plenty of hand-wringing and buck-passing at Old Trafford – Man United have finally confirmed the exit of manager Erik ten Hag.
The Dutch coach was infamously offered a summer reprieve, after guiding the Red Devils to FA Cup glory, on the final day of last season.
Despite a big-spending August, results have not matched expectations, and the club are now on the hunt for a replacement on the red side of Manchester.
Paddy has all the latest updates…
3:30pm: Ruud moves
All eyes will be on Ruud van Nistelrooy, when United take on Leicester, with the Dutchman widely viewed as popular amongst the squad. However, the club will be cautious over hiring from within, and his odds of taking the job permanently have slipped a little.
3pm: Anyone for an outsider?
United fans are likely to be forced to wait a few weeks to know who will be leading them for the remainder of the campaign. However, amid reports of funds being tight at Old Trafford, the club are looking for a bargain.
That is expected to mean a dip into the free agent basket with rumours from the Manchester Evening News hinting a bold reunion.
Coming up on the outside, at 33/1, former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been linked with a Coronation Street-style sensational return.
2:30pm: Southgate to make United ‘Whole Again’?
Former England boos Gareth Southgate is nestled just behind Van Nistelrooy and Xavi in the early odds markets despite recently stating his preference is to take a break.
Despite failing to land a major title with England, two final losses took the Three Lions closer than they have been for decades, and he could be a popular pick amongst United’s England contingent.
1:30pm: A two horse race in Manchester?
As the dust begins to settle over Erik’s exit…two clear favourites have emerged. Ruud Van Nistelrooy is expected to be given at least 2-3 games to prove himself as United make their move.
Van Nistelrooy is an option as an interim until a new gaffer comes in, or he could be appointed as the permanent boss until the end of the season, if he impresses in the coming weeks.
The real mover in the market is Xavi…with a big odds gap to other names including Southgate, Thomas Frank, Ruben Amorim and Julian Nagelsmann.
1pm: XAVI ON THE MOVE?
As the candidates come into view, one option could come from left-field, with former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez rocketing up the market to 3/1 from 10/1 before today’s bit announcement
The ex-midfield maestro previously stated his preference for a year-long sabbatical after leaving Catalonia at the end of the 2023/24 season but he would be high-profile move for United.
12.15pm: VAN NISTELROOY FAVOURITE TO BE NEXT MAN UTD MANAGER
Step No.1 for United was to appoint an interim with Van the Man (aka Van Nistelrooy) stepping up from assistant boss for the moment. The former striker is currently leading the next Man United manager odds list ahead of an EFL Cup clash with Leicester City on Wednesday night.
12pm: ERIK TEN HAG SACKED BY MANCHESTER UNITED!
It’s been coming for a while, but Sunday’s 2-1 loss to West Ham was the final straw for Sir Jim and the gang. We’ll keep you updated throughout the day with the runners and riders – and most importantly – who might replace Erik at Old Trafford.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
As part of a show of faith in Ten Hag ahead of the 2024/25 season, the club backed his move to make club legend Van Nistelrooy his new No. 2.
The former striker will now take a break from banging in goals in training to take interim charge….and we all know what that meant at United in the past (ahem…Solskjaer).
Gareth Southgate
Ex-England manager Gareth Southgate is looking for his next challenge after stepping down from the job after the Three Lions’ defeat in the Euro 2024 final. He’s got friends in high places at Old Trafford and is friendly with the likes of Dave Brailsford.
The former defender could be looking at a Premier League job despite being linked to a UEFA role, and the United hot seat could be tempting.
Michael Carrick
Arsenal have enjoyed great success appointing a young coach who used to run their show in the engine room, so might we see a copycat move by the Red Devils?
Former United midfielder Michael Carrick has earned his managerial stripes in the Championship with Middlesbrough and his attractive brand of football could prove attractive to Brailsford and co.
Carrick might feel he has unfinished business at the Riverside Stadium but the lure of Old Trafford could prove too strong if United come calling.
Kieran McKenna
Could Northern Ireland’s Kieran McKenna be the man for the job even though he just signed a contract extension at Ipswich?
His stock is high after securing back-to-back promotions with the Tractor Boys, taking them from League One to the Premier League. Playing a 4-2-3-1 system brought him plenty of success, which would suit the young United players.
McKenna knows the club well, too, having worked there from 2016 to 2021, going from coaching the Under 18s to working as part of the first-team staff under Jose Mourinho, Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
He will want to try for Premier League survival with Ipswich, but their season will impact his interest in a return to Manchester.
Graham Potter
The former Chelsea and Brighton boss has adopted the mantra of patience as he bides his time before taking on his next managerial role. After being let go from Stamford Bridge in April 2023, Graham Potter has been linked with several jobs across Europe, but none have yet to tempt him back into the hot seat.
However, a call for the big job at Old Trafford might be the exact role he has been waiting for.
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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