Man Utd legend changes his mind over ‘perfect’ Erik ten Hag replacement | Football

Ten Hag is still waiting to hear from his Old Trafford bosses, who are conducting an end-of-season review and ultimately deciding whether to appoint a new manager this summer.

Reports suggested the Dutchman, who arrived from Ajax in 2022, would be sacked regardless of the outcome of last weekend’s FA Cup final.

But the surprise victory over Manchester City and a shortage of candidates to replace Ten Hag has boosted his chances of remaining in the Old Trafford hot-seat come the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

Sheringham ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if Ten Hag kept his job but says if he is axed, ex-Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is the ‘standout’ choice to come in.

The former United striker recently tipped Roberto De Zerbi to replace Ten Hag but has now described Pochettino as the ‘perfect’ candidate for the job.

Pochettino, who has also managed Tottenham, PSG and Southampton, agreed to leave Stamford Bridge after just one season and has since been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

‘I think he’s been around the block and is a good age, I like the way he gets his teams playing football and I think he would be perfect for United if Ten Hag is to leave the club.

‘I think he was phenomenal at Tottenham and he makes players better when they are coached under him, he doesn’t just buy to fit his plan, he makes them better.

‘In the system that he plays, his teams have the ball most of the time, it’s not all about chasing after it. 

‘He takes the game to the opposition and that’s exactly how Manchester United want to play. He may have had his eye on the job for a while, but every manger in the world would take the United job.

‘It’s a huge job, a huge football club and I think that if they are looking for a new manager then Pochettino would be the man.’

Despite winning the FA Cup – their second trophy under Ten Hag – Manchester United still endured a torrid season, recording their lowest-ever Premier League finish.

But Sheringham says Ten Hag could stay given recent events, adding: ‘At the top clubs, it’s all about winning silverware and competing at the top level.

‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Erik ten Hag stays at the club this summer. There’s been so much speculation over the last couple of months of the season that it’s not been good enough, but he’s won the FA Cup and he’s got silverware.

‘I wouldn’t say you’d be happy with that every year because Manchester United need to be challenging at the top of the Premier League and challenging for the Champions League.

‘That’s where they were and they are still a long way off. This is why the owners and the chairman and the new recruits there have got to analyse whether winning the FA Cup after struggling all season is good enough. That’s the big question.’

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