Manchester United have reportedly identified 53-year-old English manager Gareth Southgate as the top target to replace Erik ten Hag.
According to a report by Daily Star, Gareth Southgate is the subject of interest from Manchester United. The Red Devils are scouring the market for a manager ahead of the summer amid uncertainties surrounding the future of Erik ten Hag. And they view the 53-year-old as the top target to replace the Dutch tactician.
The Rise of Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate has seen his stock soar since joining the English national team as the head coach in 2016. The Englishman is only in his third-ever job in the managerial world, having previously coached Middlesbrough for three years and England’s under-21 side for a similar duration.
A defender and a midfielder during his time as a footballer, he represented well-known clubs like Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Middlesbrough. The 53-year-old has brought England’s national team to a stable footing in the last eight years, helping the Three Lions reach the latter stages of every competition he has managed.
While the Three Lions are yet to win a trophy under his tutelage, his stock has risen considerably due to his exploits with the team. But Southgate’s stint with England might end soon, with Manchester United identifying him as the top target to replace the under-fire Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United Calling?
Manchester United’s interest in Gareth Southgate is understandable. Erik ten Hag has been under severe pressure in the last few months after a sub-par first half of the 2023/24 campaign. Manchester United bowed out of the UEFA Champions League in the group stage, not even finishing third to drop to the Europa League.
The Red Devils did not last long in the EFL Cup either and are currently 17 points behind the table-topping Arsenal. But the pressure on the Dutchman has eased this week after a stunning comeback win over Liverpool to reach the FA Cup semi-finals. Nevertheless, Manchester United view Southgate as the priority candidate to replace Erik ten Hag.
It will be interesting to see if the Dutchman’s job becomes untenable in the coming weeks. Such an eventuality might lead to Erik ten Hag vacating the managerial hot seat at Manchester United for Southgate. Recent report have claimed that he is open to joining the Red Devils.
