Erik ten Hag sack news: Fabrizio Romano confirms Southgate option

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 1 Oct 2024 12:34 BST
• 4 min read

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Gareth Southgate is very appreciated by Manchester United's owners.

Ten Hag is very much at risk of the sack after a terrible start to the season at Old Trafford, and last weekend’s 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham has only added to that pressure.

United now find themselves in 13th position in the Premier League after six games with a minus-three goal difference.

READ MORE: Man Utd top scorers 2024/25

It is generally accepted that if Ten Hag doesn't get positive results in the next two games away at Porto and Aston Villa, then the sack is likely.

Southgate is considered by most pundits as the most likely successor to Ten Hag.

Romano says that the former England manager is very appreciated by United part-owners INEOS.

What did Romano say about Southgate?

“There is no immediate risk for Ten Hag," Romano said.

"Man United are not even talking to any other manager at this moment to replace Erik ten Hag. But obviously, the next two games could be important to show a reaction.

“INEOS have good experience in football and also the new directors coming into the club, like Dan Ashworth, obviously Jason Wilcox, all of them have very good relationships with several people into football, so I’m sure they would be ready.

“Gareth Southgate has always been really appreciated by INEOS. Then there is Graham Potter available, but also, for example, in that review (over the summer), one of the managers who had a meeting with Manchester United was Thomas Tuchel.

“So for sure there would be candidates and for sure Manchester United could be ready. But again, it’s important to mention at this moment they are not thinking about it.”

“They have not started any process yet to replace Ten Hag. They are still with the manager, supporting the manager. Of course, they want to see a reaction as soon as possible.”

Southgate is out of work after leaving the England national team in the summer.

Southgate announced his departure from England after Euro 2024 following eight years in the job.

The former defender made the decision after losing 2-1 in the final of Euro 2024 against Spain. That result signalled back-to-back final defeats in the Euros.

Despite heavy criticism over Southgate’s playing style and whether he maximised the ability of his England players, his results were consistently excellent over his eight years with England.

In four major tournaments he oversaw, England reached two finals, a semi-final and a quarter final.

Southgate is highly respected by new Man Utd part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who considered the coach his number one choice to replace Ten Hag had the Dutchman been sacked this past summer.

Ten Hag had been expected to be sacked after a generally miserable 2023-24 campaign in which - despite winning the FA Cup - Man Utd finished eighth in the Premier League and were dumped out of Europe at the Champions League group stage.

United held an internal review on Ten Hag’s future and even spoke to a number of potential managerial replacements, but in a shock development the Dutchman ended up staying at Old Trafford and extending his contract until 2026.

However, Ten Hag’s future remains very much under scrutiny after a bad start to the 2024-25 season.

Southgate is now free and available having left the England job, and he would jump at the chance to manage Man Utd.