Man Utd take important step towards sacking Ten Hag

Robin Bairner

14 Dec 2023 07:58 GMT
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Graham Potter, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © ProShots

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure following the revelation that incoming minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already met with Graham Potter, the former Chelsea boss.

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Ten Hag’s Man Utd have crashed out of the Champions League at the group stages, and they are presently sixth in the Premier League after losing seven of their opening 16 games.

Ahead of a weekend clash against Liverpool, the Dutchman finds himself in the firing line, with Ratcliffe planning an overhaul of the club’s sporting department when he takes command. It increasingly appears a case of when and not if Ten Hag loses his job.

Formalities over the Ineos billionaire’s 25% takeover are being completed, with the Englishman set to take command of the football side of the business.

This spells worrying news for Ten Hag, particularly as The Sun reveals that Ratcliffe has already held talks with Potter, who is free of any commitments after being sacked by Chelsea earlier in the year.

He was linked with the Stoke job this week but turned down the opportunity to replace Alex Neil.

Furthermore, it is reported that he is only interested in returning to management if he gets the opportunity of a major job. Potter could be offered just that by Man Utd.

Ratcliffe has long been regarded as a major fan of the former Brighton boss. His Nice side made an attempt to lure him to the Allianz Riviera last summer and Potter is said by this report to be the preferred candidate for Man Utd’s new owner to take over from Ten Hag.

Potter vs Lopetegui for Man Utd job?

Earlier in the week, it was reported by other sources that former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is being lined up as an alternative option by Man Utd.

Lopetegui, who has also had spells in charge of Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla among others, has turned down the opportunity to take a lucrative contract in the Saudi Pro League to keep himself available for the Red Devils.