Manchester United's Erik ten Hag 'wanted by top three German clubs'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 22 March 2024

Man United's Erik ten Hag 'wanted by top three German clubs'

Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly among three Bundesliga giants interested in hiring Erik ten Hag should he be sacked by Manchester United.

A trio of Bundesliga heavyweights would reportedly be interested in hiring Erik ten Hag should the Dutchman leave Manchester United this summer.

The former Ajax head coach is facing an increasingly uncertain future in the Old Trafford hotseat, having witnessed his Red Devils squad regress significantly since 2022-23.

During his first year at the helm, Ten Hag led Man United to EFL Cup glory and a third-placed finish in the Premier League, thereby securing a route back into the Champions League at the first time of asking.

However, the Red Devils' European journey ended with an embarrassing group-stage exit, and they have already suffered 11 Premier League defeats this season to occupy sixth place in the table, nine points adrift of the top four.

Thirty-nine goals scored is the fewest in the top half of the Premier League, and the breakdown of relationships with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho have been additional blots on Ten Hag's notebook.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag applauds fans after the match on February 24, 2024 © Reuters

The 54-year-old should not be given the boot before the end of the season, but minority investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe will undertake a thorough review of Ten Hag's performance and the club's managerial structure this summer, when the Dutchman's job will almost certainly be under threat.

Ten Hag still has a contract with Man United until 2025, but it has been claimed in recent days that Ratcliffe is eyeing current England boss Gareth Southgate as an ideal replacement for the Dutchman.

However, should Ten Hag indeed be relieved of his duties this summer, the Daily Star claims that he will not be short of options to jump straight back into management, as three German powerhouses are all after him.

Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and upstarts Stuttgart have supposedly earmarked Ten Hag as a prime candidate to take the reins, and the former will certainly be on the lookout for a new head coach this summer.

With Bayern on the verge of missing out on a 12th successive Bundesliga title to Leverkusen, who sit 10 points clear at the top of the table with eight games left to go, Thomas Tuchel has already confirmed that he will step down this summer.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacts on December 26, 2023 © Reuters

Current Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso remains their number one target to replace Tuchel, but Liverpool and Real Madrid are also after the Spaniard, while Barcelona could throw their hat into the ring if Xavi sticks to his guns and resigns this summer.

Leverkusen are still keeping their fingers crossed that Alonso will reject interest from elsewhere this summer, but his departure is seen as inevitable, which would also force the champions-elect to enter the managerial market.

Meanwhile, Stuttgart have enjoyed a splendid campaign under the wing of Sebastian Hoeness, sitting third in the table with 56 points from 26 games and on course for a first Champions League appearance since the 2009-10 season.

Hoeness's contract runs until the summer of 2027, but Stuttgart are allegedly concerned that the 41-year-old could be tempted to take the Bayern job if Alonso heads for Anfield or the Bernabeu.

Ten Hag's prospective sacking would be expected to cost Man United around £10m, but Ratcliffe would apparently have no qualms about forking out the 54-year-old's hefty compensation package.