One of the world’s top managers needs to accept a pay cut or will be without a club next season
ERIK TEN HAG can no longer hide from scrutiny amid Manchester United’s woeful start to the season.
Last night’s 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle means the club are now enduring their worst opening to a campaign in 61 years.
Erik ten Hag is at risk of losing his job after Man Utd’s horror start to the seasonCredit: Getty
United have had their worst start to the season in 61 yearsCredit: PA
Pressure is mounting on Ten Hag and Gary Neville thinks he is on course to get sacked.
They sit eighth in the Premier League and have now lost five matches at Old Trafford this season.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, they are also under real threat of crashing out in the Champions League group star after losing to Galatasaray and Bayern Munich… and only scraping a lucky win over Copenhagen.
With crucial games against Fulham, Copenhagen and Luton to come before the next international break, more defeats could spell the end for Ten Hag.
Therefore, SunSport are taking a look at seven managers that could potentially come in should the Dutchman get axed.
Graham Potter
Potter has already failed at one big club going through an ownership change with it not working out at Chelsea, getting the chop after just seven months.
He has been unemployed since and is waiting for a job that suits him.
The Man Utd job might tempt him into a return with SunSport exclusively revealing that Potter is a candidate should Ten Hag get sacked.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his chiefs are set to take control of football decisions when he completes his 25 per cent purchase of the club.
The billionaire and his sidekick Sir Dave Brailsford are big fans of Potter and they once wanted him in charge of Nice.
The ex-Brighton man is also reportedly on Napoli’s radar too.
Graham Potter is a candidate to take over at UnitedCredit: PA
Zinedine Zidane could be tempted to move to Manchester after his glittering stint at Real MadridCredit: AFP or licensorsZinedine Zidane
Zidane has been out of work since ending his second stint in charge of Real Madrid in 2021.
The legendary midfielder won two LaLiga titles and three Champions Leagues when in the dugout.
He has previously been linked with the Man Utd job and with no standout candidate leading the race to take over from Ten Hag, the bookies currently have him as one of the favourites.
Roberto De Zerbi
De Zerbi has been linked with several top jobs after impressing with his unique style of play at Brighton, guiding them into the Europa League for the first time.
The Seagulls have shown when letting Potter go to Chelsea that for the right price they will allow their manager to leave.
Man Utd may have to pay a big fee to snap up De Zerbi.
But the chance of fixing the Old Trafford mess could be an opportunity that he can’t turn down.
Micheal Carrick
The Manchester United legend worked alongside both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during their times at the helm.
He eventually departed to start his own career in management as he took over at Middlesbrough.
The 42-year-old has impressed in the Championship with an exciting brand of football as he led Boro to the play-offs last season and they sit just three points short of the top six this term.
Despite his inexperience as a gaffer, Carrick knows United inside and out and it would surely be his dream job.
Michael Carrick has impressed in charge of MiddlesbroughCredit: Getty
Diego Simeone’s massive contract at Atletico Madrid is running out in the summerCredit: GettyDiego Simeone
Simeone has been Atletico Madrid’s boss for 12 years and reportedly has no desire to embark on a new challenge.
However, his contract does expire at the end of this season and the highest paid manager in the world needs to accept a supposed 20 per cent pay cut to land a new deal.
Man Utd could pounce on this opportunity and try to tempt him away from Spain.
His no-nonsense approach and ability to organise a back four could sort out United’s leaky defence that has conceded three goals in six games this term.
Julian Nagelsmann
Nagelsmann was shockingly sacked by Bayern Munich in March despite the club being on course to win the Bundesliga and with them still in the Champions League.
He has since been appointed boss of the German national team.
But the tactically flexible coach could decide club management is more for him after the Euros in the summer.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
A return for Solskjaer, who has not stepped back into the dugout since his United sacking in November 2021, could be on the cards.
The Red Devils turned to an interim in Ralf Rangnick after axing the Norwegian and he could be an option should they want to wait until the summer to find a new boss when Ratcliffe gets his feet under the table.
Solskjaer previously hit out at the club for not signing the players he wanted during his time in charge and revealed some even turned down the chance to be captain.
But things might not be any worse with the ex-striker back with his stats worryingly similar to Ten Hag’s.
Some fans think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could fix the mess forming at Man UutdCredit: Getty
