Manchester United is considering replacing manager Erik ten Hag after a disappointing season that saw them finish in eighth place in the Premier League. The FA Cup final against Manchester City may be ten Hag’s last game in charge, as the club has drawn up a shortlist of potential candidates, including Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Tuchel, and Thomas Frank. Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has already held talks with United, while Chelsea’s recent parting with Mauricio Pochettino has also put him on United’s radar. Thomas Tuchel, who recently left Bayern Munich, is admired by United chiefs for his Champions League success with Chelsea.
Kieran McKenna, who has guided Ipswich Town to back-to-back promotions in his first head coaching role, is seen as a promising candidate to succeed ten Hag at United. McKenna previously worked at United as manager of their under-21 side and has experience assisting first-team managers like Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United’s new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and the club’s hierarchy are actively considering managerial changes, with McKenna being one of their top targets. Chelsea’s interest in McKenna has added competition to United’s pursuit of a new manager.
Thomas Tuchel’s successful tenure at Chelsea, which included a Champions League title, has made him an attractive option for United. Despite Bayern Munich finishing third in the Bundesliga last season, they sought to extend Tuchel’s contract after initially agreeing to part ways. United’s interest in Tuchel stems from his proven track record in top European competitions and his recent success at Chelsea. Ratcliffe, who has not publicly backed ten Hag since becoming a major shareholder in the club, is leaning towards making a change in the managerial position.
In addition to McKenna and Tuchel, United’s shortlist includes Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Frank, the manager of Brentford. Pochettino has long been linked with United due to his successful spells with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur. Frank’s work with Brentford, known for their data-driven recruitment model, has impressed United chiefs. As the search for a new manager intensifies, United is accelerating their contingency plans to ensure a smooth transition should Erik ten Hag depart after the FA Cup final.
The fast-growing interest in Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham AFC, which has seen back-to-back promotions and global support, contrasts with the managerial uncertainties at Manchester United. While Wrexham’s success has been documented in the Disney+ documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, the club lacks a dedicated source of information like the ‘Wrexham is the Game’ newsletter. This platform offers fans in-depth analysis, informed opinions, and fun content to keep them engaged with the team’s progress. Subscribing to ‘Wrexham is the Game’ provides supporters with exclusive insights into the club’s journey, free from advertisements and filled with expert commentary.
