da betano casino： The Red Devils have already lost eight games in all competitions in 2023-24 and another change in the dugout is now inevitable
da realbet： Erik ten Hag is currently overseeing Manchester United's worst start to a campaign in 60 years – a damning statistic that was confirmed after the team's dismal Carabao Cup last-16 defeat against Newcastle. There was to be no repeat of United's final victory over the Magpies last term, as Eddie Howe's makeshift side ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils spectacularly failed to bounce back from a humiliating derby loss to Manchester City, which left them eight points outside the Premier League's top-four after just 10 games. Ten Hag's side have also been beaten twice in the Champions League, and face an uphill battle to reach the knockout stages.
"It is below the standards everyone expects from Manchester United," Ten Hag admitted to reporters after the Newcastle game. "It is not good enough by far and we have to put it right. I take responsibility for it. It is my team and they are not performing."
Those were the words of a man who knows he is already on borrowed time. The players have stopped giving their all for Ten Hag and the poor results will continue until the United board hand the Dutchman his P45.
The uncertainly surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe's proposed minority takeover at Old Trafford and the Glazer family's continued failure to address the falling standards on and off the pitch certainly haven't helped Ten Hag. But he has blown a sizeable transfer war chest on a bunch of misfits, and hasn't been able to get a clear philosophy across to a squad in desperate need of some structure.
Ten Hag's ruthless approach with players that have, in his eyes, stepped out of line – such as Jadon Sancho – has also backfired. Dressing room leaks have become more and more frequent, and the critics have drawn their knives.
The question is: who could United turn to next to lift this group of disheartened, confidence-stricken flops? GOAL is on hand to run through the potential candidates to succeed Ten Hag, starting with a certain Italian genius making waves on the South Coast…
GettyRoberto De Zerbi
If United want a progressive manager with a distinct style of play who can bring entertainment back to a disillusioned fanbase, there are few better options out there than Roberto De Zerbi. The former Shakhtar Donestk and Sassuolo boss has worked wonders at Brighton since his appointment in September 2022, taking the club to the Europa League for the first time in their history.
De Zerbi has been compared to Pep Guardiola because of his possession-based system and insistence on playing out from the back, with some reports even suggesting that he could fill the Spaniard's shoes when he eventually leaves his post at Man City.
United would be wise to swoop for De Zerbi before their local rivals, and not just because of his obvious tactical nous. The 44-year-old is also a master when it comes to the development of talented young players, with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, Kaoru Mitoma and Pervis Estupinan all improving drastically under his stewardship.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesZinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane has been linked with the United post several times over the last decade, and there may never be a better opportunity to snap up the Frenchman – who has been out of work since calling time on his second spell in charge at Real Madrid in May 2021.
During his first stint at Santiago Bernabeu, Zidane delivered three Champions League titles in a row – a feat that has never been matched – along with six other trophies. He was one of the best footballers of his generation and has also proven himself as an elite manager who can handle the biggest egos and pressure of expectation at the very highest level.
Zidane doesn't have any experience of rebuilding a team from scratch, but he would instantly command respect in the United dressing room, and his win-at-all costs mentality might be exactly what is needed to lift the club out of it's current slump.
GettyRuben Amorim
Having been courted by both Chelsea and Tottenham last season, Ruben Amorim is understandably irked by the prospect of being once again linked with a top job in the Premier League. The highly-rated Sporting CP boss knows full well how distracting all of the attention can be.
"I'm not going to go back to the same conversation as last year," the 38-year-old told reporters after a 4-2 win over Farense in the Portuguese Cup on Thursday. "I'm not going to make any kind of comment on these situations. We don’t know the future, it depends on the results."
And he's right there: Ten Hag will only be sacked if United's dismal results don't improve. But if the Dutchman is dismissed, Amorim will obviously be considered as a possible replacement because of his impressive results in Lisbon. In just over three years at Sporting, has won four trophies, including the Primeira Liga, and earned a reputation as one of the game's best young tacticians, renowned for his side's pressing, pragmatism and unity.
Amorim turned down Chelsea last season because he remained fully committed to Sporting. For that reason, it seems unlikely that he'd walk out on the Portuguese club not even halfway through the current campaign. Still, United's interest is real and Amorim is going to accept a top job sooner or later…
GettyGraham Potter
It could be argued that had it not been for Graham Potter laying the solid foundations, Brighton would not be the same force they are today under De Zerbi. Potter transformed the Seagulls into a top-10 Premier League outfit during his three-year reign, which earned him a shot at the big time with Chelsea.
The Todd Boehly-led ownership regime put their faith in Potter after buying out Roman Abramovich, having quickly decided against sticking with Thomas Tuchel in the early weeks of the 2022-23 season, and the English coach went unbeaten in his first nine games at the helm.
However, results soon took a turn for the worse as he struggled to manage a bloated squad, and he was powerless to prevent Chelsea dropping into the bottom half of the table. It was no surprise when Potter was sacked just seven months into his tenure, and he's yet to return to the dugout.
It has been reported that Ratcliffe is considering an approach for Potter if his minority takeover goes through at Old Trafford as expected, and the ex-Swansea City coach would surely jump at the chance to try and rebuild his reputation.
Potter's coaching credentials are undeniable, but his appointment would likely only alienate United fans further, and he does appear to lack the charisma and self-confidence that is necessary for driving success at a top club.