Tuchel, Amorim & De Zerbi: Who are the potential candidates that could replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford?

Putting in a woeful performance at Selhurst Park on Monday night as Manchester United slumped to a 4-0 drumming against Crystal Palace, it is starting to look inevitable that Erik ten Hag will be leaving Old Trafford this summer.

While the former Ajax boss might have guided the Premier League giants to this season’s FA Cup final last month as they edged past Championship outfit Coventry, ten Hag has failed to find any kind of stability.

Now facing a real uphill battle in the race to claim a crucial top-six finish over the final few weeks, United have remarkably collected just a single victory from any of their previous seven Premier League appearances.

With large sections of the Old Trafford support making it clear that they are demanding a change in the dugout at the end of the season, we have taken a look at three of the potential candidates to replace ten Hag this summer.

Thomas Tuchel – Bayern Munich

Shockingly relinquishing their Bundesliga crown this season and coming under a huge amount of domestic scrutiny, Bayern Munich have already confirmed that Thomas Tuchel will be leaving the Allianz at the end of the season.

However, although the German giants might have endured a public Bundesliga nightmare this year, they are still dreaming of the chance to get their hands on a famous seventh European crown in 2024.

Although Tuchel might have dealt with some high-profile battles behind the scenes since arriving at the Allianz last March, the former Chelsea boss is still regarded as one of Europe’s hottest managers and is reportedly interested in an immediate return to England this summer.

With continued speculation over the past few months that Tuchel would jump at the opportunity to replace ten Hag at Old Trafford ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, the German tactician has plenty of admirers in the red half of Manchester.

Guiding Chelsea to just a second Champions League crown in the summer of 2021 as the Blues secured a famous 1-0 victory against Manchester City, many around Old Trafford would be excited to see Tuchel take control of the reigns.

Ruben Amorim – Sporting Lisbon

Heavily linked as the leading candidate to take over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool this summer, Ruben Amorim has found himself at the heart of a real media storm over the past fortnight.

Facing a public backlash from Sporting Lisbon fans as it was confirmed that the former Braga boss had flown to England for an initial meeting with West Ham, Amorim has had plenty of question marks over his future with the Portuguese giants.

However, making real history last weekend as Sporting were crowned Primeira Liga champions for a record-breaking 20th time, the ex-Benfica midfielder is seen as Europe’s hottest managerial prospect and has continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the continent.

Although Amorim might have announced over the weekend that he is fully focused on extending his stay in Lisbon, the 39-year-old has previously stated that he is keen on a Premier League switch.

Alongside continued speculation that Amorim could potentially replace Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea this summer, it would be no surprise if United were planning their own blockbuster swoop at the end of the season.

Roberto De Zerbi – Brighton

Turning to Roberto De Zerbi back in September 2022 as the man to replace Graham Potter at Brighton, the former Sassuolo boss has continued to gain a host of admirers from across Europe.

However, although the Seagulls might have gained a reputation for their eye-catching approach under De Zerbi, it is no secret that Brighton have struggled to find much stability this season.

Nevertheless, with the Italian tactician heavily linked to the likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich over the past few months, there has been some speculation that the Brighton boss is eyeing a move away from the Amex this summer.

Guiding the Seagulls to the Europa League knockout stage and with his stock at a red-hot high, the 44-year-old has failed to commit his future to Brighton and it has been suggested that he could be tempted by a move to Old Trafford at the end of the season.

Although it might have been reported that De Zerbi does have a £12million release clause in his current contract at the Amex, that fee is not expected to be an issue for a Manchester United squad who face a monumental rebuild over the summer.