Manchester United’s list of Erik ten Hag alternatives has left one pundit feeling distinctly underwhelmed with Thomas Frank, Gareth Southgate and even Brighton’s Roberto de Zerbi not right for the role.
That is according to Craig Burley, the former Chelsea, Celtic and Scotland midfielder.
While Erik ten Hag’s job is far from safe – particularly as Manchester United lost successive Premier League games under the nose of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s right-hand man, Sir Dave Brailsford – the alternatives thrown forth by the media have left many Red Devils fanatics feeling a little cold.
Thomas Frank? Yes, he has done an excellent job with smaller resources at Brentford. But, then again, so did David Moyes at Everton. Even the most ardent England supporter would struggle to frame Gareth Southgate as an upgrade either, while there may also be reservations about Roberto de Zerbi following a run of just three wins in 12 Premier League games, Brighton suffering heavy defeats to Fulham and Luton Town.
Erik ten Hag under fire at Manchester United
And Burley, who feels that Zinedine Zidane is a non-starter too, wonders if Man United may be backed into a Thomas Tuchel-shaped corner if Ineos opt to sack Ten Hag without an outstanding candidate in line to replace him.
“For me, (Thomas Frank) is not a Man United manager. That’s a big step,” Burley tells ESPN. “Gareth Southgate? You can forget that. He’s done great with England don’t get me wrong but you can forget that.
“I’m a big De Zerbi fan but, even for me at the moment, that’s a stretch. I don’t really know, Zinedine Zidane is not moving to Manchester.
“I’d almost take (Tuchel) over all those on that list. He has been there, seen it and done it. His stock has fallen but, by God, he has to be better than what’s on that list.”
United linked with a host of alternatives
Tuchel is leaving Bayern Munich at the end of a very disappointing campaign. A Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021, the prickly German’s reputation has suffered a series of heavy blows since then with Bayern – champions for the last nine years in a row – now ten points adrift of Bayer Leverkusen.
That is not to say that there are not a few outstanding candidates available, albeit a little further afield. Julien Nagelsmann’s Germany contract will expire after the Euros. Ruben Amorim may be the most exciting Portuguese tactician since a young Jose Mourinho.
Thiago Motta, meanwhile, has taken Serie A by storm with Genoa.
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