Manager Erik ten Hag has emerged as the clear favourite for the Manchester United job as their interview process nears completion, The Telegraph’s Jason Burt reports.
It is reported that United will soon conduct a second and final round of interviews.
Erik ten Hag Favourite for Manchester United Job Ahead of Final Round of Interviews
Erik ten Hag Made Favourite for Manchester United Job
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is now the leading candidate to finally replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United manager. United began a ‘thorough process’ to hire their next manager in early March. Approaching the final round of interviews suggests they are, at least, close to deciding on who will be in the dugout at Old Trafford next season.
The report states that the Red Devils have spoken to Ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino and at least one other candidate that is not thought to be Spain boss Luis Enrique or Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui, who have both been linked with the post. The third candidate remains unnamed and it is suggested to be a clear shoot-out between Ten Hag and Pochettino anyway.
Manchester United are currently chasing Arsenal for fourth spot, despite playing a game more. Though, whilst the remainder of their season on the pitch remains as crucial as ever, those high-up at the club are focused on appointing the right man to lead the club’s future.
Both Ten Hag and Pochettino in their own right are strong candidates for the role.
Mauricio Pochettino Update
In The Telegraph’s report, it is also claimed that Paris Saint-Germain would have to pay Pochettino and his staff €20 million if they are to sack him, as expected. However, adds that they will not stand in the Argentine’s way should he opt to join another club and won’t even expect any compensation.
PSG, of course, reportedly held firm in their desire to keep Pochettino when Solskjaer was sacked over the winter but having lost so embarrassingly to Real Madrid in the Champions League, it appears the situation has changed.
Despite this, it’s still claimed Ten Hag is the leading candidate.
Ten Hag Concerns
It’s also reported there are concerns about Ten Hag’s experience managing a big club. The Dutch coach is yet to coach a senior team outside of the Netherlands, though he has led Ajax since 2017, winning two league titles and is leading the field for a third. The pressure of leading the biggest club in the country and a famous one in Europe is not to be underestimated.
Ten Hag’s camp are said to have been irritated by claims he had taken English lessons because his command of the language was not good enough and had held him back in talks with Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
Elsewhere, Manchester United held an interest in Thomas Tuchel, but aren’t prepared to wait and see how he sees Chelsea’s new ownership model.
Finally, Interim manager Ralf Rangnick is likely to move upstairs in his pre-agreed consultancy role this summer.
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