INEOS friend and former England manager set to take hot seat at Manchester United, as the club continues its search for its next long-term manager.
After the dismissal of former manager Ruben Amorim, Manchester United is in the market for a new long-term gaffer to take on a disjointed Premier League side.
United currently sit seventh in the Premier League, and with early exits of both domestic cups and no European football this year, they sit well in contention for a European place.
INEOS’ takeover of the Reds was complete in early 2024, and since then, United have had four managers, as well as the newly hired interim manager, Michael Carrick.
Fans know that the constant turnover of managers is unsustainable for any top club; the board must hire a world-class, long-term replacement. One man remains on INEOS’s radar, and he will have a stake in being hired as United manager.
Southgate friend of INEOS
After he departed from the England head coach role post a sombre European Championship final loss, Gareth Southgate has taken time away from football, but remains on the market.
The 55-year-old was appointed England manager in 2016, leading the national team to its most successful stint in recent years, and reinvigorating a nation’s relationship with its national side.
Southgate led England to two European Championship finals, in 2021 and 2024, and has worked with some of United’s top talents such as Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire.
INEOS is reported to have an ‘excellent relationship’ with the former England manager, hence why his name is linked with the United job.
A report from Manchester World quoted transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano: “He has an excellent relationship with some people at Manchester United and with figures at INEOS.”
With the appointment of Steve Holland to support Carrick, Southgate’s former assistant manager for England, a potential appointment for Southgate is looking increasingly likely.
Southgate lacks sufficient experience
The United board have previously expressed desires to appoint a long-term manager with Premier League experience, Southgate does not fit that mould.
Romano hints at this later in the article, “They did not proceed because, at this stage, they have different priorities in their process for appointing a new manager in the summer.”
If Southgate is out of the picture, a decent alternative must be favoured. Options are plenty, but quality remains something United will struggle with.
Premier League proven Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola are considered to be the favoured options. Both have taken relegation-threatened sides and transformed them into teams challenging for Europe, but a dip in form diminishes their stocks at this time.
That said, foreign success could tempt the INOES board, with Xavi on the market having a successful stint at Barcelona, one of the biggest clubs in history, he may look to entice the board.
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