Next Man Utd manager: INEOS 'known admirers' of THREE English coaches

Tom Weber

• Updated: 30 Sept 2024 20:17 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United owners INEOS are 'known admirers' of Eddie Howe, Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter, according to a report.

Erik ten Hag is facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford. While the Dutchman is not under any immediate threat of getting sacked, the pressure is ramping up.

Man Utd were on the wrong side of a 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, which only served to sour the mood in Manchester even further after back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and Twente Enschede.

READ MORE: Why Man Utd CAN'T sack Ten Hag

Reports about potential replacements have proliferated, with names such as Max Allegri and Simone Inzaghi being associated with the Red Devils. Ten Hag's assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy is also, as revealed by FootballTransfers, one of the top options to succeed his compatriot and is now among the bookies' favourites.

However, there are also homegrown options as far as INEOS are concerned.

Man Utd's English solution?

According to Ben Jacobs, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and company are 'known admirers' of Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter, while Newcastle coach Eddie Howe was also a name that came up during the summer.

Potter is ready to return to management after more than a year away from the game following his sacking by Chelsea in April 2023 and INEOS previously tried to bring him on board at OGC Nice.

READ MORE: How much will it cost for Man Utd to sack Ten Hag?

Southgate left his England job after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain and Howe is being touted as one of his potential replacements for the Three Lions.

Jacob plays down suggestions that Thomas Tuchel or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who would both be keen, have a realistic chance of succeeding Ten Hag. Further, he asserts that Man Utd would prefer a more experienced option than Van Nistelrooy.

Ultimately, INEOS would still ideally not feel compelled to sack Ten Hag, but they are well aware that supporters are growing restless as the club has evidently regressed compared to the Dutchman's promising first season in the dugout.