Manchester United have “sounded out” former Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi about replacing Erik ten Hag, according to The Guardian.
The 44-year-old left the Amex by mutual consent earlier this month, and he is free to hold discussions with the Red Devils. INEOS owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to be “impressed” by the Italian’s style of play and the fact that he helped Brighton qualify for Europe for the first time last season.
After United’s win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, there is little appetite among the fanbase to sack ten Hag, and there was no enthusiasm for appointing De Zerbi when supporters on X heard about the news:
No thanks
— RUTD (@RakUTD) May 27, 2024
A big downgrade
— Kweku_Flawless (@bra_Flawless) May 27, 2024
Not good enough
Not a trophy winner
United might play beautiful games but won't win anything under him
United might probably look like Arsenal
But United is known for winning trophies, with Ten Hag, we might not win the PL next season but we are already favorites in Europa— Richie Andrew (@RichieAndrew21) May 27, 2024
You can't expect players like McTominay, AWB, Malacia, Amrabat, Maguire, Rasford, Casemiro, etc, to all of a sudden start playing a high line with possession based football. It will be disastrous. These players are going to stay on once again if a new coach is hired .
— Sunny (@DonReincarnated) May 27, 2024
This is so wrong. Such a bad move
— Hezman 🔴⚪️⚫️ (@hezman7) May 27, 2024
He just got lucky with Brighton. Took over when Potter had coached them well. He will take the credit for Ten Hags work if he joins Utd.
— Tantalus (@Saldan460398324) May 27, 2024
Replacing a lethal winner in ETH with de zerbi that don’t know what it means to be a winner
— 22 🔰 (@prosper_leo3) May 27, 2024
Will ten Hag be sacked by United?
The Guardian and the Daily Mail have both reported that the Red Devils will dispense with the services of the Dutchman. However, other sources still insist that his future hinges on the outcome of an end-of-season review.
That review is expected to take place over the next few days so fans may not have to wait long to find out whether ten Hag stays in charge.
Who are the candidates to succeed ten Hag?
In addition to De Zerbi, there are four other contenders for the job, including Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank.
Ipswich boss McKenna was also in the running for the position at Chelsea but the former United assistant has now dropped out of contention, leaving the path clear for United to hire him if they wish to do so.
