HBAgency announced the surprising appointment of Thomas Tuchel, former Chelsea manager, to a Premier League team, sparking intense reactions from fans.
This unexpected development has led to speculation that Tuchel could be a potential successor to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
With Ten Hag’s position seemingly in jeopardy, some fans are divided over who should replace him, though Tuchel has emerged as a strong contender.
The uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future comes after Manchester United’s poor run of form, highlighted by a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.
The result has left United struggling in 14th place in the Premier League standings after a series of disappointing performances.
The pressure is mounting on the 54-year-old Dutch manager as the team’s lackluster results continue to raise questions about his future at the club.
On Monday, co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer, along with chief executive Omar Berrada and Ineos’ head of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, met at Old Trafford to discuss several key issues, including Ten Hag’s future.
A follow-up meeting took place in London on Tuesday, where Ratcliffe and other top club officials reportedly evaluated the managerial situation as part of the discussion.
Despite growing rumors about his job security, Ten Hag remains focused on turning Manchester United’s season around rather than worrying about his future.
Speaking after the Villa Park match, Ten Hag addressed the media, stating that if he were truly under pressure, the club’s leadership would have communicated that to him.
“They should have told me; I don’t have any other idea. We speak very openly and transparently,” he said.
He emphasized that he has regular discussions with the club’s higher-ups and noted that the team’s internal disappointment with their performances is their main concern.
“Inside, we are disappointed. We know we need to improve, particularly in scoring goals,” he added.
As speculation about Ten Hag’s potential departure grows, several names have been suggested as possible replacements.
Thomas Tuchel, with his managerial experience at Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, has emerged as a leading candidate.
Manchester United fans, through a poll conducted by Manchester Evening News, also voiced their preferences.
In the survey, Tuchel received 29 percent of the votes, making him the favorite among the options presented.
Zinedine Zidane, another high-profile manager with a successful track record at Real Madrid, was the second choice, garnering 16 percent of the votes.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ten Hag’s assistant, was another option discussed, particularly as a potential interim manager, earning 12 percent of the votes.
Other candidates included former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri and Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, both of whom received six percent of the fan vote.
Michael Carrick, who has a long history with Manchester United as both a player and coach, secured five percent of the votes, while Kieran McKenna, Graham Potter, and Gareth Southgate rounded out the list with fewer votes, with Southgate polling at only three percent.
As the pressure on Ten Hag intensifies, Manchester United’s leadership faces a crucial decision about whether to retain him or seek new leadership.
Fans are eager to see how the situation unfolds, with Tuchel appearing to be the front-runner if a managerial change occurs.
However, with many factors still at play, including the team’s upcoming performances, the club’s management may choose to give Ten Hag more time to turn things around.
