Ex-Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui is looking “well placed” to take the Manchester United hot seat if the club decide to dispense with the services of Erik ten Hag, according to Relevo.com.
The Spanish website reports that the Red Devils’ board are admirers of his work, while Lopetegui himself is keen to stay in English football despite his brief stint at Wolves.
Supporters on X are very sceptical about the possibility of Lopetegui replacing ten Hag, with many believing that the 57-year-old is not an improvement on the person who is already in the dugout:
he’s good but there’s better available
— Nathanial_1028 (@nathani77707272) December 13, 2023
not an upgrade
— Christopher (@chrisjacob1493) December 13, 2023
Last time he was at a club like Utd was Madrid and he lasted what, 3 months? Yeah no thanks.
— RedUnited30 🔰 (@tdjohnso) December 13, 2023
Rather bring Moyes back
— Haron (@haron14_) December 13, 2023
Hell NO!!!!
— HORPPY🤴🤟 (@HorppyBoi26) December 13, 2023
Rather keep EtH
— Takudzwa Kunyavapa (@TKunyavapa) December 13, 2023
We are finished
— 771 (@joda_abdulkadir) December 13, 2023
Lmao he couldnt even handle wolves
— Wayne mufc 1977 (@TtcWayne) December 13, 2023
Relevo claim that Zinedine Zidane, ex-Chelsea head coach Graham Potter and current Brighton boss Robert De Zerbi are als in the frame.
However, it appears that, for the time being, Lopetegui is the frontrunner for the job if the decision is made to sack ten Hag.
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority stake in the club yet to be ratified, it leaves a great deal of uncertainty over who is in charge of club affairs.
It was widely reported that Ratcliffe had an agreement to take over decision-making from the Glazers with regards to on-field matters so, is he the one considering Lopetegui, or are the current board putting a list of names together themselves?
It would be very strange if ten Hag was fired before Ratcliffe’s arrival, considering he will have a key role to play in the future.