Gary Neville has concluded that Manchester United cannot appoint Gareth Southgate as their next permanent manager as he belives the Red Devils could look to keep Ten Hag next season.
The Dutch manager’s future at United has been plunged into uncertainty in recent months amid Man United‘s dismal form this season. That was further compounded by their 4-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on Monday night, which means the Red Devils have now only won one game in their last eight Premier League matches.
Questions have been mounting over Ten Hag’s suitability for the role at Old Trafford, with many calling into question his coaching tactics and command over the dressing room, having taken stock of United’s recent performances.
Despite that, Mail Sport has previously reported that Ten Hag will not be sacked before Man United’s FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25. Yet, per The Telegraph, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his leadership team are carrying out several audits and assessments to establish Ten Hag’s suitability for the position further down the line.
Meanwhile, several other managerial candidates have cropped up as names who could take over from Ten Hag, with England boss Southagate, whose Three Lions contract will expire in December, being one of the favourites to take on the role.
Gary Neville believes Manchester United cannot hire Gareth Southgate this summer
He claimed that difficulties would arise relating to Southgate’s Euro 2024 commitments
Gary Neville was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, where he believes United should rule out a move to hire the Three Lions boss, with Southgate set to lead England in Euro 2024 later this summer.
‘Liverpool are not finding it easy to get a manager, other clubs are not finding it easy. Bayern Munich are not finding it easy. Where do Manchester United go for a manager?
‘I’ve come to the conclusion that [Gareth] Southgate can’t happen. There’s no way Manchester United can wait until mid-July, when pre-season’s already started.
‘They’d look like they don’t know what they’re doing. And, there’s no way Gareth can announce before a major tournament. He won’t do that.’
Neville said he thinks United’s leadership group, will choose to keep Ten Hag as their head coach amid a lack of other candidates.
He added: ‘I think actually they will stick with the manager, at this moment they will stick with the manager.’
The England manager is set to name a preliminary England squad for Euro 2024 on Tuesday, May 21 – two days after the Premier League season ends.
England will subsequently go into a training camp ahead of playing a warm-up match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ park on June 3.
Pressure is mounting on current Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag amid a poor season
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has instructed his leadership team to make a decision on the Dutchman’s future
The Red Devils have endured a miserable season under Ten Hag that was heightened on Monday after they suffered a 4-0 defeat by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park
Southgate’s England contract is set to expire in December, and Neville believes he won’t walk away during a major international tournament
Southgate will likely be without some of his England stars who play for Man United and Man City for the start of his camp, with both sides set to take part in the FA Cup final eight days before that warm-up match.
‘There’s no way that in a week’s time, we’re going to see an announcement that Gareth Southgate is leaving England after the tournament to go to Manchester United,’ Neville continued, adamant in his view.
‘That would just create absolute turbulence in the England squad for a month. He’s not going to do that to The FA or the England players, and create that huge distraction.
On Thursday, The Telegraph reported that Ratcliffe will look to his new executive team of incoming CEO Omar Berrada, interim chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc and technical director Jason Wilcox to make a decision on Ten Hag’s future.
Bayern Munich boss, Thomas Tuchel, is another manager who has been heavily linked with the job, with the German coach set to leave his role as Bayern’s head coach later this summer.
Incoming CEO Omar Berrada (left) will be part of the group entrusted to make a decision on Ten Hag’s future, alongside interim CEO Jean-Claude Blanc (right)
Technical director Jason Wilcox will also play a part in the process, as he assesses Ten Hag’s coaching and management strategies
Similarly, Graham Potter, who yesterday rejected a deal to join Ajax, has also been said to be in the running, with some arguing that he may be a great candidate who could command the dressing room.
United have been impressed too by the work of Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton, despite his side recently dipping in form, while Thiago Motta also remains a candidate, after Bologna on course for a spot in Europe next season.
Gary Neville was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet
