Man United 'add Champions League finalist' to list of Erik ten Hag replacements

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 08 June 2024

Man United 'add Champions League finalist' to list of Ten Hag replacements

Manchester United add Borussia Dortmund's Edin Terzic to their list of potential replacements for Erik ten Hag, according to a report.

Manchester United have reportedly added a new name to their list of possible replacements for under-fire head coach Erik ten Hag.

One day before the Red Devils' 2-1 win over Manchester City in the final of the FA Cup, it was reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe had decided to sack Ten Hag regardless of the Wembley result.

The INEOS chief has refused to publicly back the Dutchman since completing his minority purchase just before Christmas, although Ten Hag has repeatedly insisted that Ratcliffe has involved him in the club's planning for next season.

Red Devils fans are eagerly awaiting an official update on Ten Hag's status, but no decision has been communicated, and the hierarchy are reportedly not expected to make their decision until next week.

Despite winning two trophies in the space of two seasons, the consensus is that Ten Hag will be given the boot, having overseen Man United's worst-ever Premier League season and a shocking Champions League campaign.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on May 6, 2024 © Reuters

Man United considering Edin Terzic move?

According to German outlet Bild, the Red Devils have now been alerted to a new candidate in Borussia Dortmund's Edin Terzic, who led the German side to the final of the 2023-24 Champions League.

Under the 41-year-old's tutelage, BVB eliminated Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain from the competition before squaring up to record holders Real Madrid, whom they fashioned plenty of chances against at Wembley.

However, Dortmund were let down by wastefulness in the English capital and succumbed to a gut-wrenching 2-0 defeat to Los Blancos, who lifted their 15th title at the expense of Terzic's side.

The former West Ham United assistant is only under contract with Dortmund until 2025, though, and the report adds that talks over an extension have been put on hold until the start of next season.

Despite reaching the Champions League final, Terzic has apparently been left feeling unappreciated at Dortmund after only masterminding a fifth-placed finish in the Bundesliga, a standing which was still good enough for qualification for Europe's premier tournament next year.

Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic reacts on May 11, 2024 © Reuters

As a result, Man United are supposedly one of two Premier League teams keeping a close eye on the situation, along with Leicester City, who recently witnessed Enzo Maresca jump ship for Chelsea.

Could Terzic reignite Jadon Sancho's Man United career?

Terzic is just one of a handful of managerial candidates for Man United, who are also running the rule over Thomas Frank, Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate, but his arrival could help an ostracised Red Devils star revive his stalled Old Trafford career.

Jadon Sancho's time at the Theatre of Dreams appeared to be over after his public spat with Ten Hag, and having refused to apologise to the Dutchman, his Man United career remains dead in the water while the ex-Ajax boss is in charge.

However, Sancho was a trusted performer for Terzic during his Dortmund loan spell and memorably tore PSG to shreds in the Champions League semis, completing 12 dribbles in the first leg, the most on record by an English player in a UCL match.

The 24-year-old did not set the world alight in terms of direct contributions with just three goals and three assists, but amid reports that Dortmund are struggling to afford a permanent deal, there may still be a space for him at Old Trafford if Terzic is hired.