Manchester United considered the credentials of eight different managers before choosing Ajax Coach Erik ten Hag becomes the fifth longest-serving appointee since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Sources have told ESPN that Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique and Julen Lopetegui have joined Ten Hag on the final four-man shortlist compiled by United’s director of football John Murtough, but the prospect of recruitment remains unsettling. Bayern Munichby Julian Nagelsmann, Chelseaby Thomas Tuchel, Leicester CityBrendan Rodgers and former Real Madrid Coach Zinedine Zidane was all considered after the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last November. In the case of Nagelsmann and Tuchel in particular, it is almost immediately clear that neither is realistic goals.
Ten Hag, whom the Ajax team had to face PSV Eindhoven in Sunday’s KNVB Beker final, likely to be confirmed as United manager before the end of the month, with ESPN reported on April 6 that the 52-year-old has emerged as United’s No. 1 choice to succeed Solskjaer.who was replaced by Ralf Rangnick on a temporary basis until the end of the season.
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While United’s owners, the Glazer family, will be hoping that their long search for a manager capable of restoring the club’s dominance in England and Europe has finally come to an end. In the end – some say the search began with Ferguson’s retirement and the decision to replace him with David Moyes – the process that ended with Ten Hag on the verge of a move to Old Trafford appeared to be smooth sailing. It involved two executives, the appointment of Rangnick was unsuccessful and the leaders soon found their prospects harmed, or ended in Rodgers’ case, by the clubs’ poor results. ministry where they are currently in power.
But sources unrelated to United have told ESPN to avoid the negativity surrounding the team’s results and upheaval caused by the departure of Ed Woodward in January and the appointment of Richard Arnold as his successor. he was the CEO, the process of hiring a new manager was done. impressive, strategic and well-constructed by Murtough, who settled in Ten Hag after a detailed search for the best candidate available.
“It’s important to look at the options available,” a source told ESPN. “Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp are not available and United will never take Nagelsmann out of Bayern. Tuchel is also a real asset to Chelsea, so he is not a reliable option either. So, “You look at the market, who’s capable and trustworthy, and United looked at them all. They didn’t ignore anyone they were supposed to talk to.”
When Solskjaer was sacked on November 21 after a seven-match losing streak in 13 games, the favorite early targets to move to work at United were. Paris Saint-Germainby Pochettino and former Liverpool Rodgers manager. Antonio Conte, ready after leaving Inter Milan last summer, was not considered because, a United source told ESPN, his demanding and detailed approach would not work for the Old Trafford side.
United were keen to assess the best domestic option and at the time it was Rodgers, who had succeeded in making Liverpool title contenders in 2014 before winning multiple trophies in Scotland with Celtic, followed by last season’s FA Cup success at Leicester, made him a fan in the United hierarchy. Pochettino, meanwhile, is highly regarded by Woodward, who twice considered appointing the former Tottenham Hotspur The coach replaced Louis van Gaal in 2016 and Jose Mourinho two years later. However, Rodgers quickly fell through as Leicester’s results were fruitless, while Pochettino’s contract situation at PSG – he is contracted until June 2023 – ruled out a quick appointment.
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Julien Laurens called Manchester United’s performance against Everton “pathetic.”
Instead, United chose to hire Rangnick to give them time to go through a “thorough and detailed search” for the next manager. That search will be led by Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher. Woodward, who announced his plans to step down after the Super League scheme fell through last April, has played a side role. According to sources, both Ferguson and Rangnick had minimal involvement in the process. However, Woodward’s departure in January brought clarity to the process. With Arnold not burdened by the mistakes of his previous appointments – Woodward has signed Van Gaal, Mourinho and Solskjaer – the leadership change provides a new sense of purpose and accelerates the process. Final.
Arnold wanted a new manager confirmed before the season ended, and he tasked Murtough with completing the shortlist. Nagelsmann was discounted like it couldn’t be, while Rodgers had faded from the race long before Arnold took over as chief executive. Zidane, meanwhile, was seriously considered until United became clear that the only club to play the old role France The midfielder is likely to return to join PSG. Tuchel, meanwhile, only emerged as a possible candidate after Roman Abramovich decided to sell Chelsea following sanctions by the UK government for his links to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was a brief process to gauge Tuchel’s availability, with sources saying United were discouraged that he would leave Stamford Bridge. That leaves the final four: Ten Hag, Pochettino, Enrique and Lopetegui – and it quickly becomes two finals due to the elimination of Luis Enrique and Lopetegui.
In the case of Luis Enrique, sources have said that United believe he has all the credentials he needs as a multi-title winner with Barcelonabut “World Cup killed them” because Spain The coach has no intention of leaving his position before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which begins in November. Seville Coach Lopetegui has always been an outsider, but is considered for his tactical and technical abilities. Sources say the concern at Old Trafford is that United have risked hiring “another Unai Emery” by appointing a manager with a successful track record at smaller, but unproven clubs. intelligence at the highest level. While Emery has won four Europa Leagues with Sevilla and Villarreal – he also guided Villarreal to this season’s Champions League semi-finals – he couldn’t succeed at PSG or Arsenal The influence was indirect on Lopetegui’s candidacy with United and the 55-year-old, perhaps feeling he was not a serious option, withdrew from the race to replace Solskjaer more than a month ago.
So that leaves United to decide between Ten Hag and Pochettino and both men are considered impressive enough to be appointed. However, both have negative sides. Ten Hag’s inexperience at the highest level, in terms of managing a club the size of United in a high-profile league like the Premier League, could prove an insurmountable problem in the months ahead. and next year. However, Murtough has known the 52-year-old since his time as Utrecht coach between 2015-17, and sources say there are no real concerns about his temperament and ability to step up to the next level. big job like United.
With Pochettino, the problem is twofold. In-game information continues to suggest that Real Madrid will make a move to buy the Argentine this summer, although Carlo Ancelotti is still well on his way to winning La Liga and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, and United have warned. feeling about being manipulated by Real in the eleventh hour match. There is also the threat of PSG demanding a huge compensation package for their coach, who many expect to leave in the summer regardless, or the French club bringing in Pochettino as a gardener. effectively on the remaining five of his contract if he tries to force a move. to United.
In terms of his coaching qualifications and top-flight experience, Pochettino is seen by United as a safe bet, but ultimately Ten Hag’s draw is that he is seen as a rising star and a not yet debilitated by failure. He has repeated his success at Ajax, building a young, exciting team and showing the ability to exceed expectations in the Champions League. There is something new to Ten Hag that has attracted United and, despite reports that he is trying to secure control of the team at Old Trafford, sources have said it is in fact a negotiation. much more frank with the Dutchman and Ajax.
Time will tell if United get the right person or not, sooner or later they will be accused of hiring the cheapest, easiest option. With a €2m release clause at Ajax and a willingness to develop young players, he could turn out to be a less expensive option than Pochettino, but the appointment will only be judged by what goes on. Yard. If won, Ten Hag will be considered invaluable for a club that has made so many costly mistakes.
