Manchester United are currently engaging in internal discussions regarding the potential replacement of Erik ten Hag with one of Serie A’s most promising managers.
According to ESPN’s report on Wednesday, United are considering Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank, and Gareth Southgate as potential successors to Ten Hag if he were to depart from his role at Old Trafford this summer.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has assumed control of football operations at the club, is reportedly assessing the qualifications and availability of potential replacements.
Although De Zerbi, Frank, and Southgate are among the preferred candidates, other managers and coaches are also being evaluated, as per the publication.
In an unexpected turn, TeamTalk has suggested that Ratcliffe and his team have internally discussed the possibility of recruiting Bologna’s manager, Thiago Motta.
Motta, a former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, has steered Bologna to fourth place in Serie A, ahead of teams like Roma, Atalanta, and last season’s champions Napoli.
With his team vying for a Champions League spot, Motta, at the age of 41, is considered one of the most promising young coaches in Europe.
The report also mentions that several European clubs, including Italian giants Juventus, are keeping an eye on Motta’s progress.
Ten Hag joined United from Ajax in June 2022 on a three-year contract, with the possibility of an extension.
The Dutchman is facing pressure to secure his position, particularly since Ratcliffe stated last month that qualifying for next season’s Champions League is crucial for United to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
Following Ratcliffe’s remarks, United have suffered consecutive Premier League defeats against Fulham and Manchester City, leaving them 11 points behind fourth place.
Furthermore, fifth place could potentially secure a Champions League spot depending on England’s UEFA coefficient. In such a scenario, United would need to close a six-point gap on Tottenham, who have a game in hand, to secure fifth place.
