It’s been a difficult season for Manchester United. June is a time to look forward to the future and hope that the summer can bring some good news regarding transfers and who will be managing the team for the 2024/25 season.
The future of Erik ten Hag has been discussed throughout his time at the Reds. That disappointing start to his first season in charge had some calling for his head. Perhaps that 4-0 loss at Brentford was a sign of things to come after all?
His second season in charge has also been a troublesome one. An early exit from the Champions League has not helped his cause. Not qualifying for the Europa League next could be another.
Inconsistent league results and some terrible performances mean his future is an uncertain one. What will Sir Jim Ratcliffe do or is it a foregone conclusion a new manager is going to be appointed. If so, who do the bookmakers believe will be the next permanent manager of the Red Devils?
Thomas Tuchel is their 11/8 favourite to take over at Manchester United, according to some betting companies that offer acca bet deals. The current Bayern Munich boss had a spell at Chelsea in the past, He recently said he “loved” his time in England, well apart from when he lost his job. His future at Bayern is uncertain and a move to Old Trafford is a possibility.
England are about to head off to Germany for Euro 2024 but could it be Gareth Southgate’s final tournament as national coach? He’s the 3/1 second favourite to become the next permanent manager of Manchester United.
It’s 15 years since he last managed a club side. After retiring as a player, he took over at Middlesbrough and that didn’t go too well with Boro being relegated. He was sacked the following season and since 2013 has been part of the England set-up.
Would he leave England with the next World Cup only two years away? It’s possible he might relish a return to club football so it is a possibility.
Another former Chelsea manager (there are a few around) is also on the shortlist to replace ten Hag. Graham Potter is 9/2 to be United’s next permanent boss. Potter had some success at Brighton but then joined Chelsea in September 2022.
It was not an easy time for Potter at Stamford Bridge, not that taking over at United would be a walk in the park. Even taking his side to the last four of the Champions League wasn’t enough to save him and he was sacked on April 2, 2023. Potter is continually linked with top jobs but is yet to return to management. Could his next job be at Old Trafford?
When Potter left Brighton, the south coast side replaced him with Roberto de Zerbi. He led them to sixth place in the Premier League and qualification for the Europa League. The Seagulls made it to the last 16 before being beaten by Roma.
De Zerbi is a well-regarded coach and is 11/1 to be the next permanent boss for the Reds. The past few months have seen Brighton struggle at times and they won’t be in Europe next season. He is a coach that the leading clubs in England and Europe wouldn’t mind having in charge of their team, so he might just head to Old Trafford one day.
Keiran McKenna will be at Old Trafford next season. Will it be as manager of newly-promoted Ipswich Town or as the new United boss? Would he leave them after two successive promotions?
He does have a history at Old Trafford though. McKenna used to be the under-18 coach and then assistant manager to Jose Mourinho (33/1 to be the next United boss) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Ragnick before leaving in November 2021.
McKenna joined Ipswich the following month but with his United connections, could he be tempted to make his return? It’s 14/1 that he does.
Michael Carrick worked alongside McKenna with the Manchester United under-18 side. He was also the caretaker manager after the departure of Solskjaer in 2021. Carrick left the club when Ragnick was appointed and is currently in charge of Middlesbrough.
They were in relegation trouble when he joined but ended up losing in the 2022/23 Championship play-offs. The 2023/24 season saw him lead Boro to the Carabao Cup semi-finals and eighth in the Championship. He’s 20/1 to return to Old Trafford as boss but it looks unlikely, perhaps one day though.
There are so many possible candidates for the United job. Others include Zinedine Zidane (14/1) and Eddie Howe (25/1). Tempting the latter away from Newcastle might not be the worst decision United could make. At present though, it looks as if Tuchel may well be on his way to Old Trafford.
