Manchester United is reportedly “highly unlikely” to consider appointing former England manager Gareth Southgate as a replacement for Erik ten Hag in the event that the Dutchman’s tenure at Old Trafford falters, according to a recent report.
Southgate, who announced his resignation as England’s national team manager after their 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, had been linked with a potential move to Manchester United even before his departure from the England setup became official.
The loss to Spain marked Southgate’s second consecutive major tournament final with England, following their penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
Despite the speculation surrounding Southgate’s future, Manchester United appears set to continue backing Erik ten Hag.
The club has recently extended ten Hag’s contract, securing his position as the team’s manager until 2026.
This move signals the club’s commitment to ten Hag, despite the pressures he faces ahead of the upcoming season.
Should ten Hag struggle to deliver results in the early stages of the 2023/24 season, the club is expected to focus on finding an alternative to Southgate.
According to the report from the *Daily Mail*, Manchester United’s hierarchy would likely turn their attention to Thomas Tuchel if a managerial change is deemed necessary.
Tuchel, the former Chelsea manager who left Bayern Munich earlier this summer, was reportedly considered as a potential replacement for ten Hag during a period of uncertainty regarding the Dutchman’s future.
However, the club ultimately decided to stick with ten Hag, and Tuchel remains a possible candidate should the situation change.
Even though Southgate is highly regarded by INEOS, one of Manchester United’s key stakeholders, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s decision-makers seem inclined to look elsewhere for potential managerial replacements.
The preference for Tuchel suggests that Manchester United is prioritizing managers with proven success at the club level, particularly in top European leagues, over national team experience.
In the meantime, Manchester United has been actively strengthening their squad to ensure that ten Hag has the necessary tools to succeed.
The club recently announced the signing of Joshua Zirkzee, a promising striker from Bologna, to bolster their attacking options.
This addition reflects the club’s strategy of supporting ten Hag with new talent to improve their performance in the upcoming season.
Furthermore, reports indicate that Manchester United is close to finalizing a deal for Lille defender Leny Yoro, who is expected to undergo a medical examination in England.
Securing Yoro’s signature would be another step in reinforcing the squad, particularly in the defensive department, as United looks to compete at the highest level in both domestic and European competitions.
Overall, while Gareth Southgate’s name had been in the mix for a potential move to Old Trafford, Manchester United appears to be charting a different course, with a continued focus on Erik ten Hag and a potential future interest in Thomas Tuchel if circumstances require a change in leadership.