The constant speculation surrounding Erik ten Hag’s future has already been described as ‘disrespectful’ by Gareth Southgate, one of the managerial candidates being linked with the hot seat at Manchester United.
Now, The Sun claims United will look to bring England’s entire coaching staff to OId Trafford this summer, with Southgate tipped yet again to replace the Dutchman.
Southgate’s future as England manager is up in the air at the moment since his contract expires at the end of the year, although he has not ruled out staying with the Three Lions through to the 2025 World Cup.
The report – written by Anthony Chapman – states that United will move for England coaches like No2 Steve Holland, if Southgate succeeds Ten Hag. Other members of England’s staff wanted by United include coaches Paul Nevin and Martyn Margetson.
A source told the newspaper: “There is a huge amount of admiration within Old Trafford for the job Gareth and his coaching staff have done with England in recent years.
“They recognise that success is not just about Southgate, it’s also about the DNA he’s built within his coaching squad at England.
“So any move for Gareth would also mean a move for his lieutenants as this would help ensure he has the best chance of making a success of things at Manchester United.
“Jim Ratcliffe and his team are determined that the club really returns to its roots which is why there is a massive focus on young players and recruiting the best of British.
“The club also thinks Gareth has shown in his job with England that he can handle big characters and big personalities, so he wouldn’t be phased by managing at a club like United.
“One of the biggest draws for United is that Southgate would immediately have the support of the spine of English players running through the club – Maguire, Shaw, Mainoo and Rashford, which would give him a solid base from which to build.
“They think Southgate could turn Rashford back into the world class talent everyone at the club believes him to be.
“It’s for all those reasons that, at the moment, he is seen as the outstanding candidate should they decide to change direction in the summer.”
Back Ten Hag and forget Southgate
United already have a top manager in Ten Hag. He just needs to be backed and given time.
I’d honestly worry about anyone that thinks Southgate is a step up from Ten Hag. The thought of it is nothing other than nightmarish.
Ten Hag has an FA Cup semi-final to prepare his team for as well as the race for a top four finish. There’s still a lot to play for but it sounds like the media are trying to get the Dutchman sacked.
The constant speculation is telling when we believe a decision has not been made on the manager’s future.
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Again: a resounding ‘no’ to Southgate. He has no idea what managing United would be like: constant pressure, constantly in the spotlight, every match, every decision endlessly analysed. Stories and rumours constantly made up by columnists with space to fill, or websites looking for clicks. Yeah, there’s a bit of that as England manager, but it soon dies down after each match, even after defeats.
Coaching a squad of players trained at Club level and anxious to represent their Country is not a sufficient CV.
Plus he’s too slow with substitutes, and then brings on the wrong ones.
That’s not to say I am yet convinced by ETH, even tho I have not yet returned to Earth after THAT 4-3!
Let’s see how the rest of the season plays out after that: corner finally turned, or another flash in the pan?
After all, ETH could beat last season with top four and F.A.Cup…..