Erik ten Hag 'could leave Man Utd by mutual consent' as INEOS settle on No 1 replacement target
Erik ten Hag could leave Man Utd this summer
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Erik ten Hag could leave Manchester United by mutual consent and INEOS have made Gareth Southgate their No 1 target to replace him if he leaves, reports say.
The Red Devils recently won the FA Cup under the Dutchman, with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scoring in a 2-1 victory over Manchester City.
Yet with United enduring a nightmare Premier League campaign by finishing eighth, Ten Hag's future remains up in the air.
United are still in the process of undertaking an end-of-season review that will ultimately decide the Dutchman's fate.
Erik ten Hag could yet leave Man Utd by mutual consent
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But the Independent say there's still a possibility Ten Hag could leave by mutual consent.
The 54-year-old wants clarity as quickly as possible, having jetted off on his holidays shortly after the club's FA Cup win.
However, it's still not known what will actually end up happening.
According to the report, Southgate is INEOS' No 1 target to take over at Old Trafford.
The England boss has worked wonders with the national team over the past eight years, ever since replacing Sam Allardyce back in 2016.
But Southgate is currently reluctant to enter talks with United.
Instead, his main focus is on steering England to glory at Euro 2024 this summer.
United are said to believe that Southgate is 'open' to taking charge at Old Trafford after eight years with England.
However, the fact he wouldn't be able to enter talks with the club until the middle of July - at the earliest - is an issue.
United have been assessing other candidates, including Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel.
Frank has reportedly 'particularly impressed' INEOS with his vision for the club.
Yet United are yet to be persuaded that sacking Ten Hag, and bringing in a replacement, is the right move.
Tuchel was, at one point, seen as the standout candidate to take over.
He has made no secret of his desire to manage in the Premier League one day, having previously guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021.
But Tuchel has now apparently fallen down the list due to 'some differences in outlook'.
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INEOS have made Gareth Southgate their top target to take over at Man Utd
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The Red Devils, for their part, are keen to build something for the long-term.
But Tuchel is seen as an appointment that 'could offer a high-quality bridge to someone else'.
Former Premier League star Paul Robinson, meanwhile, feels United should axe Ten Hag and bring in Pochettino - who is available following his recent departure from Chelsea.
"Erik Ten Hag will be gone by Christmas. It will be the biggest mistake that they make," he said.
]"You look at the season and the way they performed. One game doesn't mask a whole season.
Erik ten Hag has won two trophies in as many years during his spell at Man Utd
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"Yes, you do get hoodwinked into the fact they had a great performance and he got a tune out of this team.
"But actually, did he get a tune out of his team at Selhurst Park when they got beat 4-0? An FA Cup final doesn't mask a whole season of woes.
"They need a big change there with INEOS and Jim Ratcliffe coming in.
"While Mauricio Pochettino is on the market, go and get a manager like that. Pochettino has been touted to Manchester United for a long time.
"I think you're delaying the agony. With Ten Hag, you would just be kicking the can down the road and waiting for that next manager to come in. All the stats say he shouldn't keep his job on the back of one game."
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