In preparation for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s major decision, Manchester United is considering the appointment of a “special” manager to take Erik ten Hag’s position this summer.

Under duress, Erik ten Hag

Ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford was mainly successful; after leading United to third place in the Premier League, the Dutchman won the EFL Cup and led United into the Champions League. There has been a clear decline this time around, though, with a top-four finish now appearing very unlikely and a disappointing departure from the Champions League group stage.

Ten Hag is fighting to keep his position because of this, and a management switch at the end of the season seems very likely with Ratcliffe’s firm, INEOS, entering the picture.

Manager of the Nagelsmann Spurs slot-Levy Premier League
Recent weeks have seen a steady stream of replacements emerge, indicating that successors are already being set up. Julian Nagelsmann, the manager of Germany, is one such person who has been backed to transfer to Old Trafford once Euro 2024 concludes this summer.

Another candidate to lead United forward is Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi. The 44-year-old is highly regarded by Manchester City legend Pep Guardiola and is performing admirably with the Seagulls.

United looks to bring in a “special new manager”

Manchester United is keen to select Thiago Motta, the manager of Bologna, as their next manager, and internal discussions are underway on his appointment, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk. According to the source, “Ratcliffe and his fellow Man Utd officials have internally discussed a surprise move for a new Serie A target: Thiago Motta.” The current Red Devils boss is “seriously dangered” of losing his job.

Bologna is now in fourth place in the Serie A standings under the 41-year-old, which is rather impressive considering some of the more financially established teams they play against. Bologna may be a really interesting possibility for United.

In addition to Xabi Alonso and Ruben Amorim, Motta is considered one of the most promising young managers of the new generation, and journalist James Horncastle calls him “special”.

The former Barcelona player is regarded as a “innovative tactical thinker,” according to a story from The Soccer Dispatch, and he previously stated of the “2-7-2” formation he utilised as Paris Saint-Germain Under-19s boss: This may be what appeals to United supporters the most.

“Among the seven players in the middle of the pitch, I include the goalie. The goalie is the first attacker in my opinion, and the striker is the first defender.”

Haaland, Jude, Erling, and Bellingham
This is the kind of forward-thinking decision Manchester United needs to make this summer to start a new chapter at the team. Although they might still win the season, it seems like a new manager is required because under Ten Hag, things have become stagnant.