Assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in temporary charge of Manchester United after the club’s hierarchy decided to sack Erik ten Hag on Monday, and remains the favourite for the permanent position.
The Red Devils had endured another torrid start to the season and sit 14th in the Premier League after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham.
Ten Hag had been under pressure for some time, with United’s football board and owners discussing his future among other topics when they met for a meeting in a London hotel earlier this month.
United agreed a one-year extension to Ten Hag’s contract in July, but performances this season have deteriorated to new lows, with the club ultimately deciding to part ways with the Dutchman.
In two and a half years as manager, Ten Hag won two pieces of silverware, guiding United to victory in the 2022/23 Carabao Cup final against Newcastle and to FA Cup glory last season with victory over rivals Manchester City.
Thomas Tuchel had been considered a potential suitor to Ten Hag and was sounded out by the club shortly after leaving his post as head coach of Bayern Munich at the end of last season. But the Football Association moved decisively and appointed the German as England manager 20 days before Ten Hag’s dismissal.
Tuchel’s predecessor in the England job, Gareth Southgate, has been mooted as a potential candidate for the United top job and is available as well as being admired by INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim and ex-Barcelona manager Xavi are also among those tipped to replace Ten Hag.
Julian Nagelsmann has seen his odds shorten significantly shortly after confirmation of Ten Hag’s dismissal.
Here, Standard Sport considers the bookies’ favourites to become the new Manchester United manager…
Next permanent Manchester United manager odds
Ruud van Nistelrooy: 6/4
Xavi Hernandez: 5/1
Gareth Southgate: 6/1
Ruben Amorim: 13/2
Thomas Frank: 7/1
Julian Nagelsmann: 15/2
Graham Potter: 12/1
Michael Carrick: 14/1
Kieran McKenna: 16/1
Eddie Howe: 33/1
Zinedine Zidane: 33/1
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 33/1
Sebastian Hoeneß: 33/1
Edin Terzic: 33/1
(Odds via Betfair, subject to change.)