3 Managers Manchester United Should Consider to Replace Erik Ten Hag

Having endured their worst start to a Premier League season since 1989, few Manchester United fans will argue that Erik Ten Hag deserves more time. The Red Devils have shown little signs of improvement during Ten Hag’s two-year reign at Old Trafford. Despite winning two trophies, United’s poor league performances mean that the end is near for the Dutch head coach.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club, Manchester United have been in shambles. World-class managers like Jose Mourinho and Louis Van Gaal have come and gone, but none have been able to re-establish United as the dominant force in English football. Erik Ten Hag is the latest in the line of underwhelming managerial hirings. The Dutch manager could very well rescue his job at Old Trafford, but that looks very unlikely at the moment. So, with the writing basically on the wall, we decided to take a look at three managers who could replace Erik Ten Hag as Manchester United’s next boss. 

1) Thomas Tuchel 

The 51-year-old German head coach will surely be a popular hire among Manchester United supporters. Hiring Thomas Tuchel will be a high-profile appointment, but the German has a CV that can rival any manager. Moreover, the Red Devils were linked to Tuchel in the summer, when Ten Hag’s future looked uncertain. However, the hierarchy decided to hand the Dutch head coach a contract extension instead. But after their worst start since 1989, United’s management might just rekindle their interest in Tuchel.  

Last season, the German head coach resigned from his managerial position at Bayern Munich after the Bavarians failed to secure a Bundesliga title for the first time in 11 seasons. However, he did lead Munich to the Champions League semifinals, where they were defeated by Real Madrid in heartbreaking fashion. Before his move to Bayern, Tuchel famously guided Chelsea to a surprise Champions League triumph in 2021. But things soured soon after, as he fell out of favor with the club’s new management. Alongside Bayern and Chelsea, Tuchel has also had stints at big clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund. 

Interestingly, Tuchel has won trophies at every club he has managed. Having said that, the task at Manchester United is unlike any other club. Plus, the German’s constant falling out with the club’s management doesn’t make him a viable long-term option. He has fallen out with the management of clubs like Dortmund, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. So, if United want an instant uplift in performances in results, then Tuchel is the man. But he’s not going to stick around for the long-term. Despite this, Thomas Tuchel is still the man several United fans want at the helm. This speaks volumes about his coaching ability and tactical nous. 

2) Zinedine Zidane 

This is a very left field option, but I’m throwing Zidane’s name in the mix. Since leaving the head coaching gig at Real Madrid in 2021, the legendary Frenchman hasn’t managed a club. However, he has been linked to Manchester United’s head coaching job on multiple occasions. Whenever there’s a managerial vacancy at Old Trafford, Zidane’s name will surely pop up. While he’s not the favorite to replace Ten Hag – if the Dutchman gets sacked – Zizou certainly has the pedigree to become United’s boss. The Frenchman exudes an air of confidence and aura which very few managers possess. Plus, he will instantly command the respect of United’s dressing room because of his legendary playing career. 

Zidane won countless trophies during his stint with Madrid, But the most impressive achievement was Los Blancos’ three successive UCL titles from 2016 to 2018. That Madrid side is regarded as one of the greatest teams in football history. However, many fans feel that the Frenchman won trophies because of the legendary squad, and not because of his tactical brilliance. It’s a blemish that has tainted his otherwise brilliant, yet short coaching career. But if Zizou takes the managerial gig at Old Trafford, then he will have the chance prove his doubters wrong once and for all. A With Manchester United's vast resources, he would have the financial power to shape the squad exactly how he wants. But is the legendary Frenchman up for the challenge? 

3) Graham Potter 

After naming arguably two of the most in-demand unemployed managers, seeing Graham Potter’s name pop up might be surprising. But the English manager has been linked to Manchester United before. It would be an understatement to suggest that Potter’s reign as Chelsea’s manager crashed and burned in spectacular fashion. However, that should discount the job Potter did at Östersunds, Swansea and Brighton. The 49-year-old English manager has worked his way up the footballing ladder, and just one botched managerial stint shouldn’t define his career. In all honesty, any manager would have struggled at Chelsea during the 2022-23 season. After all, the club had undergone an ownership change. Moreover, the new owners spent over 300-million euros in the winter transfer window, which bloated their squad to over 40 senior players. 

Before his ill-fated spell at Chelsea, Graham Potter worked wonders at Brighton and Hove Albion. The Seagulls had returned to the Premier League in 2017-18, but their first couple of seasons were anything but exciting. Under Chris Hughton, they were stuck near the bottom, fighting relegation while playing some pretty uninspiring football. That all changed when Potter took over. He completely turned things around, transforming Brighton into one of the Premier League’s most entertaining sides. And it wasn’t just style over substance—Potter’s impact brought results. In the 2021/22 season, Brighton finished a solid 9th with 51 points, and his work laid the groundwork for Roberto De Zerbi’s success in the following seasons. 

So, while Potter might not be the obvious pick, Manchester United fans should stay open to the idea. He’s got a knack for building teams, and he could bring some much-needed freshness to Old Trafford. 

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