Next Man Utd manager odds as legend favourite to replace axed Erik ten Hag
by Dylan James · Wales OnlineManchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been sacked.
Following their dismal 2-1 loss against West Ham United, the Dutchman's reign of the Old Trafford outfit has come to an end.
During his time with the Red Devils, he won the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup earlier this year.
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In the wake of his sacking, we take a look at the candidates for the job, courtesy of Sky Bet.
- Ruud van Nistelrooy - 2/5
- Gareth Southgate - 7/2
- Ruben Amorim - 7/2
- Thomas Frank - 5/1
- Graham Potter - 7/1
- Michael Carrick - 7/1
- Xavi - 5/1
- Kieran McKenna - 12/1
- Edin Terzic - 14/1
- Simone Inzaghi - 18/1
Van Nistelrooy tops the list, due to the fact he has been appointed interim head coach. The club's statement reads as follows: "Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
"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."
A summer review took place between ten Hag and the United hierarchy in 2024, with the Dutch coach surviving the chop. Many believed that his time was up at Old Trafford at the end of last season, but he was given another chance by those in charge. The review came off the back of United finishing in eighth place in the 2023/2024 season.
He signed a three-year deal in 2022, meaning that his contract was due to end in the summer of 2025 anyway. He follows the disappointing appointments of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in May 2013, United have failed to reach the starry heights they experienced in the 1990s and 2000s. David Moyes was expected to be the ideal replacement for his preceding fellow Scotsman, but was sacked one year later. Including caretaker managers, United have had nine managers since Ferguson left.
With Southgate having left the England manager role, in a reasonably successful tenure at the helm for the Three Lions, he has been touted as a suitable replacement for ten Hag, with previously rumoured Liverpool target Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon another candidate.