Manchester United are preparing a surprise choice to succeed Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Manchester United are ready to make a leftfield appointment to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are enduring a difficult season, with the club out of Europe altogether and lingering way off the pace in the title race. Defeat at home to Bournemouth at the weekend was followed by yet another loss at the Theatre of Dreams, as Bayern Munich compounded Ten Hag's men to fourth place in their Champions League group.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's job is hanging by a thread, according to some (Image credit: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Spanish outlet Relevohave reported that United are ready to appoint Julen Lopetegui, who has been out of work since leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers before the season began.
The Spaniard has also coached the Spanish national side and Real Madrid, while during the lockdown season of 2019/20, he knocked Man United out of the Europa League with Sevilla, en route to the trophy in Portugal.
Relevo have called Lopetegui "very well positioned" to take over as manager – and with the Daily Mailclaiming another heavy defeat at Liverpool this weekend could have "significant ramifications for Ten Hag’s future at the club", it may be sooner rather than later than Lopetegui is installed.
Julen Lopetegui could be hired at Old Trafford (Image credit: Ina Fassbender/Pool via Getty Images)
United are still waiting on investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with the INEOS billionaire set to acquire a stake in the club.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
