Erik Ten Hag is currently facing mounting criticism in his role as Manchester United’s manager.
After an unexpected victory in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, Ten Hag was rewarded with a new contract over the summer.
However, the club made it clear that this extension came with the expectation of improved performances and results moving forward.
Despite this, the 54-year-old manager has struggled to meet these expectations early in the season.
Manchester United has only managed to secure two wins out of their first five Premier League games.
These results include a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Brighton and a heavy 3-0 loss at home to long-standing rivals Liverpool.
Such outcomes have only intensified the pressure on Ten Hag, as fans and pundits alike continue to scrutinize his performance.
Manchester United’s struggles have extended beyond domestic competitions.
Even in the Europa League, where they are competing against less formidable opponents compared to the Champions League, the team’s displays have been far from impressive.
Their recent 1-1 draw at Old Trafford against Dutch side FC Twente did little to lift the mood around the club, and it’s reported that the United hierarchy is beginning to consider alternative managerial options.
TBR Football has suggested that one of the names being considered as a potential replacement for Ten Hag is Gareth Southgate.
Southgate, who stepped down as England manager after their defeat to Spain in the Euros final, is thought to be a strong candidate for the job.
He reportedly has the backing of several key figures at the club, including Sir David Brailsford, a close associate of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and sporting director Dan Ashworth.
Together, these three are expected to assess Ten Hag’s future and, if necessary, find his successor.
Southgate’s potential appointment at Manchester United would likely divide opinions among fans.
While he has guided England to three major finals in the last four tournaments, his inability to secure a major international trophy has been a source of frustration for many supporters.
England has not won a significant tournament since 1966, and Southgate’s failure to break that drought has led to mixed evaluations of his tenure as the national team manager.
Nonetheless, his supporters, particularly within the United leadership, believe that Southgate’s experience at the international level could be a valuable asset for the club.
If Ten Hag is eventually relieved of his duties, it wouldn’t be surprising if Southgate is offered the challenging task of turning things around at Old Trafford.
However, whether the fans would embrace him as the new manager is a different question entirely.