Simon Jordan mentions 36-year-old as potential new Manchester United manager

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Simon Jordan mentioned Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann when discussing the future of the under-fire Erik ten Hag at Premier League strugglers Manchester United.

So, what now? Stick or twist? As far as the former Crystal Palace chairman is concerned, that very much depends on whether Manchester United feel there is adequate replacement on the market for Erik ten Hag, a manager who has lost more games than he has won so far in a disastrous campaign.

The likes of Hansi Flick, Antonio Conte, Oliver Glasner and Julen Lopetegui are all out of work at present. But United have been here before, of course. Sack a manager, enjoy a brief resurgence in form, followed by the same old collapse once again.

Erik ten Hag loses again at Manchester United

“If the belief is that Ten Hag needs to be given more time, I look at it and think; ‘Why waste time?’,” Jordan tells talkSPORT (12 December 10am).

“I don’t believe Ten Hag is going to deliver the outcomes. So it’s just as commendable to pivot and to redirect quickly if you’ve got a better alternative.

“If you haven’t got a better alternative, if there is nobody out there who can fix this particular malaise, if there’s no Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola lookalike who can change this direction (then stick with Ten Hag for now).”

The one name Jordan did bring up, however, is that of Julian Nagelsmann.

The 36-year-old was perhaps Europe’s most highly-rated young coach not so long ago, producing miracles at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig before a difficult spell at Bayern Munich dented his previously glittering reputation.

Nagelsmann is currently in charge of the German national team but his contract runs only until the summer of 2024, after the European Championships.

Julian Nagelsmann an option for United?

“Who are we talking about (to replace Ten Hag)? Who are they? Do we make a case for Nagelsmann? Well he’s managing the Germany team in the Euros so perhaps he’s out of commission,” Jordan adds.

“United is a difficult beast to tame. The media want to focus on United from dawn until dusk, sports rooms around the world love it when United lose.”

Ten Hag’s team have lost against Bournemouth and Bayern Munich over the last few days, that superb performance against Chelsea proving to be another in a series of false dawns.

Oh well, it’s only Anfield on Sunday…