Manchester United fans think they know who INEOS will choose to replace Erik ten Hag after Thomas Tuchel was announced as England manager.
Tuchel has previously been linked with becoming manager of United but will take charge of the Three Lions from January 2025.
The ex-Chelsea boss was questioned about why he did not join United in his press conference on Wednesday afternoon. He praised the 'vision' put forward by FA chief executive Mark Bullingham as the main reason for joining England.
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"Because the idea and the way John and Mark presented it was very exciting and trustful and very straight forward and that was a decision for this job and not against anyone else," Tuchel replied when quizzed on the subject.
As a result, United fans were left wondering who could replace Ten Hag if he were to leave his post at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman’s future has been the subject of speculation for some time, with United reportedly having spoken to several candidates in the summer of 2024, according to The Guardian.
Ten Hag confirmed this when speaking on Dutch television in June 2024.
“That’s no secret,” he said.
“Everyone has heard that they have spoken to several candidates. In the Netherlands, that is not done.
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“You are not even allowed to talk to another club if there is a current trainer there. But in England, the rules and laws are different. But in the end, they came to the conclusion that they have the best trainer.”
Since then, both Ten Hag’s and United’s fortunes have not improved with the club currently sitting 14th in the league after a torrid five-game winless run and there have been reports that a loss to Brentford this weekend could spell the end for the Dutchman.
INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe was joined by Joel Glazer and United's leadership group, including CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth, in central London for a ‘seven-hour’ meeting on October 8.
Ten Hag’s future was thought to be a topic discussed during the meeting but he remains as United boss currently.
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United assistant manager and former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is the favourite to replace Ten Hag, with Gareth Southgate, Kieran Mckenna, and Graham Potter also linked with the role.
But fans think they know INEOS’ preferred choice of manager. The general consensus on social media from fans is to go for Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
One user made their feelings clear by saying: “If INEOS sack Ten Hag and Tuchel becomes England manager, then I really think they’ll go for Thomas Frank.”
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A second added: “He’s actually the best man for the job, been saying it if united are ever going to become serious again they need to appoint him.”
A third threw shade at United by jokingly saying: “United fans are angry at this, but he’s literally a perfect relegation manager.”
With another adding: “The dream scenario.”
Frank, 51, managed the Danish side Brondby before taking charge of the Bees in 2018. He led Brentford to promotion in 2021 and they are currently playing in their fourth consecutive season in the Premier League.
Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Premier League, Thomas Tuchel, Fan Reactions
Luke Davies