The Manchester United board has reportedly identified Gareth Southgate as Erik ten Hag’s potential successor this summer. The Dutchman finds himself in a difficult position after the club’s latest humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace over the weekend.
The former Ajax boss is under immense pressure at Old Trafford amid United’s poor results and Sir Jim Ratcliffe believes the Dutchman is not the right man to lead the current Manchester United team.
Manchester United board wants Gareth Southgate this summer
The England manager who last led the Three Lions in 2016 is currently the favourite to replace Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United. Southgate’s contract with the national team expires in December which led to speculations of a possible move this summer.
A host of managers have been linked to replace Ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout with Thomas Tuchel being another potential candidate if the Dutchman is sacked in the summer.
But Southgate has emerged as a real contender for the Man United hot seat and according to French outlet, Foot Mercato, Manchester United are convinced that the England manager is the ideal coach to lead the struggling side.
They want to seal an agreement with the 53-year-old manager in the coming weeks but Southgate will definitely wait until Euro 2024 to announce his decision.
How have the fans reacted on Twitter?
Many Man United fans believe that the 53-year-old England manager would not offer a serious improvement at Old Trafford. It’s hard to imagine fans liking the idea of Southgate replacing Ten Hag and the news has been met with disgust with most of them.
One supporter @Saucyjeyy04 said: “If that’s the case I would rather stick with Ten Hag.”
Another fan @Medievalhtybuff posted “United may as well fold at this point.”
The news did not go well with @abbilax, he said: “If they hired him, it means Manchester United will never back on track. He’ll be worse than Tenhag.”
One United fan @sapnon wrote on X: “I guess it will be better to just stop watching Manchester United.”
Another fan @tnuwaherezaa wrote: “This will be the worst Manchester United version.”
Manchester United will likely have to wait until the conclusion of the European Championships for Southgate’s appointment.