Manchester United have decided to sack Dutch manager Erik ten Hag after the FA Cup final against local rivals Manchester City, English media reports said. The outcome of Saturday's summit clash will have no effect on ETH's future as the decision-makers at Old Trafford have already made up their minds, The Guardian said in an exclusive report.
Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna, Graham Potter and Thomas Frank are the frontrunners to replace the Dutchman at Old Trafford, who recently witnessed a minority takeover by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos allies, Guardian said. The British media added that the club refused to comment on the development.
Under Erik Ten Hag's second season in charge, Manchester United finished eighth in the Premier League, their lowest league finish since 1990 as their neighbours went on to lift a record fourth consecutive league title.
ETH, who earlier managed Ajax Amsterdam, won the Carabao Cup beating Newcastle United. In his first season in charge, United finished third in the league despite parting ways with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Disputes with ETH led to the Portuguese legend leaving Old Trafford to later join Al-Nassr FC in Saudi. The episode left United fans divided. While the majority of them backed the manager for trying to do what is better for the team, the other criticised him for disrespecting the club legend and spoiling his second homecoming.
Later, Ten Hag also distanced English winger Jadon Sancho from game time over indiscipline.
Manchester City can become the first English club to win the domestic double in successive seasons in Saturday's FA Cup final. They had beaten United 2-1 in last year's summit clash. On the other hand, a victory is United's last chance of sealing a berth at the European stage next season.