The Athletic reports that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos had all but decided to sack the Dutchman in 2024, until victory over Manchester City at Wembley changed their minds.
Manchester United had a shortlist of two to replace Erik ten Hag in 2024, according to The Athletic. Thomas Tuchel and Roberto de Zerbi were the leading candidates, and the decision to sack the Dutchman had all but been taken. United had just finished eighth in the Premier League, their lowest placing at that point. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, who were new at the club, changed course after Ten Hag won the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
The shortlist
The Athletic reports that Ineos had searched the market before the FA Cup final and settled on Tuchel and De Zerbi as the two main options. Both were out of work at the time.
Tuchel had left Bayern Munich, but he had a strong record, having managed Bayern, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and led Chelsea to Champions League glory. He now manages England.
De Zerbi’s reputation had continued to grow at Brighton, but he chose to end his time there. He had long been tipped to move up, though staying with Ten Hag meant he went to Marseille instead. He is now in charge of Tottenham. Earlier this season, his Tottenham side went to Old Trafford and left with a point thanks to a late header. They dominated Michael Carrick’s team but were wasteful in front of goal.
Mauricio Pochettino also interviewed for the position, the report says, but was ranked behind De Zerbi and Tuchel. He is among those in the frame if Carrick is sacked this time.
What happened next
The decision to keep Ten Hag did not last. He was sacked after only nine Premier League games the following season. The report says it cast a spotlight on Ineos’s decisions, which it argues have continued to set the club back.
Ten Hag was allowed to sign players including Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte, who are now regarded as surplus to requirements. Ruben Amorim was appointed after his dismissal but lasted 14 months before being sacked. Carrick took over on an interim basis and was given the job permanently. According to the report, he too is now poised to be dismissed.
