Man Utd next boss: 9 candidates to replace Erik ten Hag including Ole Gunnar Solskajer return

Manchester United are once again on the hunt for a new manager following the

The Dutchman was dismissed on Monday following a woeful start to the new campaign. They languish in 14th in the following the

Ten Hag was given a stay of execution earlier this season following crisis talks with chiefs. But with results failing to improve, Old Trafford bosses have finally swung the axe.

His assistant on an interim basis but will now be looking for Ten Hag’s long-term successor. With a tricky decision to make, Mirror Football has taken a look at some of the candidates who could be drafted following Ten Hag’s exit.

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Ruud van Nistelrooy

The man currently in the hotseat, the Dutchman was widely touted to become Ten Hag’s successor following his return to Old Trafford in the summer. Van Nistelrooy already has his feet under the table and is under no illusions about the standards expected by the club and its supporters.

Despite having only been Ten Hag’s assistant for a short while, the former striker already has plenty of managerial experience. The 48-year-old spent time with PSV Eindhoven, winning the Dutch Cup.

Van Nistelrooy already has the backing of a number of prominent names, . It remains to be seen whether he impresses enough over the coming weeks to get the job on a permanent basis.

Who should be appointed as United's next manager?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Should the Red Devils find their options limited, the club could potentially be forced to turn to one of their former bosses. The Norwegian has been out of work since his own sacking by the Red Devils back in November 2021.

But he could yet make another sensational return. According to the , United have not totally ruled out a formal approach for Solskjaer given they could be restricted to free agents in their search for Ten Hag's successor.

The ex-striker has already said that he would potentially be open to going back so it could well be a case of out with the old and with the old at The Theatre of Dreams.

Graham Potter

A man who would be able to step into the role immediately, Graham Potter has been out of work since getting sacked by former club . The ex-Brighton boss has been courted by a number of clubs including and Ajax, while Potter was also linked with the England role before the

Jim Ratcliffe is a big fan of him having attempted to take Potter to his other club Nice, but a deal failed to come to fruition. with the Red Devils during a recent appearance on Sky Sports but it seems sure he will at least be in the running this time around.

Gareth Southgate

From one English coach to another, INEOS are also big fans of ex-Three Lions boss . And he is of course available now having left his role with the FA in the summer.

Southgate all but ruled himself out of contention however, revealing he would take time away from the game after an intense eight-year spell with the national team.

Earlier this month, he said: "I won’t coach in the next year, for sure. I’m certain of that. I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time."

Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank has done an excellent job with Brentford and it appears only a matter of time until he earns a bigger job. The links with Chelsea, and United have already come and gone over recent years.

The only issue is that it might take a lot of work to tempt the Bees into letting him leave. The Dane is under contract until 2027.

However, he has sooner rather than later. He said: “Who knows what will happen in future? As I said many times, I think it is very important, because I am probably at one of the best clubs in the … why should I leave this place?

“But things can happen. You can want new inspiration. If I ever got the offer from a bigger club and I decided to go there, it would probably not make my life better."

Kieran McKenna

While Ipswich boss McKenna has struggled to adapt to the Premier League so far, he could well be among the contenders. The former Red Devils coach has impressed hugely during his time at Portman Road.

He led Ipswich to back-to-back promotions from League One and has the Tractor Boys back in the top flight. There is a familiar problem that the Red Devils could face if they want to bring McKenna back though. He only signed a new four-year deal with Ipswich in the summer.

Ruben Amorim

One of the most exciting young coaches on the continent, Amorim has impressed hugely during his time with Sporting Lisbon. Appointed in 2020 after moving from Braga, Amorim has led Sporting to two league titles, as well as to Portuguese League Cups.

The Red Devils are not the only club linked with a potential move though. have also been linked with a swoop with having just a year remaining on his deal, particularly after Sporting’s Hugo Viana was appointed as the club’s new sporting director.

Reports have suggested that United have already submitted an enquiry for Amorim but it has been claimed that he is reluctant to leave the club mid-season.

Xavi

Should the Red Devils want to look abroad, former boss Xavi is one of the leading contenders. It has already been claimed that he has held talks with club chiefs.

The Spaniard is out of work having left Catalonia in the summer. While he was only with Barcelona for a short period, he still managed to claim silverware having won .

and might be one of the favourites should INEOS want a swift appointment.

Zinedine Zidane

Speaking of La Liga winners, former head coach would be an excellent candidate should United go down that route. The Frenchman has a glittering CV having enjoyed two stunning spells at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He won two League titles and three Champions Leagues during his time in Spain. But he has yet to return to work after leaving Madrid for the second time over three years ago.

Zidane has previously claimed that he is reluctant to take the role at Old Trafford due to his limited understanding of English. But with the role now free again, it would be interesting to see if he could resist temptation this time around.

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