From Allegri to Zidane: Grading Man Utd's candidates to take over from Ten Hag

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 28 Oct 2024 12:46 GMT
• 6 min read

Erik ten Hag has now been sacked as Manchester United manager.

A disastrous start to the 2024-25 season, which sees United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and winless in the Europa League after three games, was the final straw for Ten Hag.

A statement by the club on Monday morning confirmed the news that Ten Hag had been relieved of his duties.

"Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager," the statement read.

"We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited."

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals

Although Van Nistelrooy has taken the job on a temporary basis, FootballTransfers grades the main candidates for the permanent position, with A being the highest and F the lowest.

Ruud van Nistelrooy - D

FootballTransfers was the first to report that United's caretaker manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, could be offered the job permanently if Ten Hag leaves, potentially signing a contract until 2026.

He had a promising spell at PSV, despite causing some friction among the squad. But giving him the job permanently would be a huge gamble that maybe United can't risk to make.

His performance as caretaker manager will go a long way to determining his suitability for the permanent job.

Ruben Amorim - B

Ruben Amorim is the second favourite for the Man Utd job after Van Nistelrooy and it is easy to see why as he has performed wonders at Sporting Lisbon in recent years.

He has won five trophies, including two league titles, in four years and developed a host of exciting talent; the latest being goal machine Viktor Gyokeres.

He is also young at just 39 but there will be questions over his experience at elite level.

Xavi - B

Xavi certainly has the experience at elite level, both as a manager and a coach, having been one of the greatest midfielders of all time.

He returned to Barcelona as manager and won a La Liga title but he had as many ups as he had downs.

His name means he will attract many big name stars to United, and he will also play the kind of football fans want.

But there are still question marks over just how good Xavi is as a manager, not to mention he will move out of his comfort zone.

Thomas Frank - C

The Danish manager has been one of the best and most admired coaches in the Premier League in recent years at Brentford, punching well above his weight with a provincial club.

However, Brentford are also a brilliantly-run club and that is something Frank won't get at United. He has benefited from the structure at a club with a superb scouting, sporting science and analytics team. There is no structure at Old Trafford and he may end up suffering in the same way that Ten Hag did. He also admitted in a recent interview he is not that bothered about getting the job.

Gareth Southgate - C

Gareth Southgate is a polarising figure. While many at Ineos have a close relationship with the former England boss, his conservative tactics are not suited to a club like United.

Having said that, he has been the most successful England manager in almost 60 years, taking the Three Lions to two Euro finals, and a World Cup semi final and quarter final. He would bring defensive stability that has been sorely missed with Ten Hag.

He would be very unpopular with fans, though, and Southgate has said himself he wants to take a year out of football.

Graham Potter - C

Graham Potter was once regarded as the best English coach in the world. He transformed Brighton from relegation candidates into serious contenders. However, his stint at Chelsea was disastrous, leading to his dismissal after just half a season.

Out of work since 2023, Potter recently expressed interest in taking on a new challenge. His motivational style and positive, progressive football could be a great fit for United but his ability to handle such a giant club is a question mark.

Zinedine Zidane - B

Zinedine Zidane has been out of management for a considerable time but boasts an impressive resume. In his first tenure at Real Madrid, he won two La Liga titles and three consecutive Champions League trophies.

During his second spell, he added another La Liga title before leaving in 2021 after a trophyless season. Zidane is a natural leader who commands respect, and no player at United would feel bigger than him.

On the negative side, he doesn't speak English and there are still questions on his tactical expertise as a manager.

Massimiliano Allegri - D

Massimiliano Allegri's second stint at Juventus was disappointing. His tactics appeared outdated, and they stifled some of the club’s brightest talents. Juventus would have sacked him earlier if they could have afforded his compensation package.

Frank Lampard - E

Frank Lampard has yet to prove himself beyond a decent run in the Championship with Derby. His spells at Chelsea were underwhelming, and he is currently out of work. Lampard would be an ill-fit for United, a club that would likely sack him just months into his tenure.

Marco Silva - B

The Transfers Podcast, in collaboration with FootballTransfers, revealed that Fulham's Marco Silva is under consideration by Ineos.

Silva has improved every club he's managed, including Everton, where some feel he was unfairly dismissed. His steady progression makes him an attractive option.

Edin Terzic - D

Edin Terzic led Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last season, but the team’s league performance was poor. Dortmund finished fifth in the Bundesliga, leading to Terzic's departure this summer.