Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues to debate about replacing Erik ten Hag at Manchester United but his options are rapidly running out should he decide to sack the Dutchman
Manchester United are down to just one candidate in their search for Erik ten Hag’s potential replacement.
The Dutchman’s future remains up in the air at Old Trafford. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been conducting a post-season review into Ten Hag’s position. Scrutiny comes after the Red Devils’ worst ever Premier League season – albeit they did win the FA Cup.
But while Ten Hag remains in position, replacements have already been touted. Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel held a meeting with Ratcliffe in Monaco. But he has since decided to turn down the opportunity to move to Old Trafford.
Mauricio Pochettino is also unlikely to take the reins following his exit from Chelsea. Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna was identified as a candidate early on but chose to sign a new contract at Portman Road.
Those three developments have left the Red Devils with just one option – Brentford boss Thomas Frank. The Dane has featured on the club’s shortlist since pressure started cranking up on Ten Hag.
Frank has impressed hugely with Brentford over the past couple of years but has yet to earn a move. He has previously hinted that he could leave West London should an opportunity arise.
Speaking in February, Frank said: “There’s a lot of rumours out there. I think we all have kind of an ego and the ego likes that little bit of sugar but at the end of the day I’m at Brentford. I’m very happy here.
“Do I have ambitions? Yes. Am I going to stay at Brentford forever? Maybe but probably not. So who knows what’s going to happen in the future. What I know is that I’m here at Brentford and I’m very happy with it.”
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Frank, who has been Brentford boss since October 2018, has three years left to run on his contract with the Bees. Ten Ha meanwhile, has just a year remaining on his respective deal with Man United.
Former Red Devils star Gordon Strachan has urged the club to make a final decision on the club’s managerial hotseat sooner rather than later. Speaking to Prime Casino, he said: “To get to this stage where the season finished a couple of weeks ago, I think that’s enough time to decide whether you want ten Hag to continue in the job next season. The silence is deafening.
“Everyone will know that he doesn’t have the full backing of the club and that undermines you as a manager. I’m surprised that the club have let this drag on.
“I think that says everything about where Man United are at the moment that they are incapable of making this decision. They can’t make this decision after two weeks.”
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