Manchester United officials have reportedly ‘held talks with representatives of Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Frank’ as they assess Erik ten Hag’s future as part of a review into their chaotic 2023-24 season.
Pressure has been mounting on the Dutch manager over the past year, with United ending the campaign eighth in the Premier League – their lowest finish in the top-flight since the 1989-90 season.
Despite that, Ten Hag orchestrated an epic victory against their rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, simultaneously securing United a berth in the Europa League next season.
The victory will no doubt have given Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Man United’s leadership team some food for thought, amid reports on Friday from The Guardian that the club were set to ‘sack the Dutchman, even if his side won the FA Cup.’
According to The Telegraph, United officials have ‘held talks with Pochettino and Frank’s representatives’ with the outlet claiming that Ten Hag is now at ‘serious risk of losing his job’.
Man United have ‘held talks with Thomas Frank (left) and Mauricio Pochettino’s (right) agents’
The club are set to undertake a review into the suitability of Erik ten Hag (pictured) this week
Reports emerged on Friday that Sir Jim Ratcliffe (pictured) and INEOS were set to part ways with Ten Hag even if he won the FA Cup
The newspaper claims that the meetings were held in the past week, with club bosses having also met with Kieran McKenna’s agents – amid talk that the Ipswich boss could return to Old Trafford.
It comes as Chelsea and Pochettino mutually agreed to part ways on Tuesday.
Pochettino had previously been on Man United’s shortlist of managers to take over at Old Trafford following Ralf Rangnick’s departure, but the club instead opted to appoint Erik ten Hag in 2022.
Frank, meanwhile, has been linked with a move away from Brentford for some time, with Liverpool having reportedly been interested in appointing the Dane as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
The charismatic manager has built up a reputation as being one of the best tacticians in the Premier League, utilising his fast and energetic brand of football to guide Brentford to the Premier League and maintain their stature in the top-flight.
Frank is admired by many clubs in Europe and is also on Chelsea’s managerial shortlist, along with Roberto De Zerbi and McKenna, to succeed Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.
The Telegraph state that Ratcliffe and INEOS will be conducting reviews into Ten Hag’s suitability at the club this week.
Pochettino’s departure came as a shock to many after the Argentine had galvanised his team in the latter part of the season
United have endured a chaotic season, finishing eighth in the league but won the FA Cup
Ratcliffe (right) congratulated Ten Hag (left) on the victory yesterday in the gantry at Wembley
Ten Hag (right) was defiant when pressed on his future by BBC presenter Gary Lineker (left)
Amid the speculation over his future, Ten Hag was pressed on his future at the club on Saturday at Wembley several times, with the United boss restating his commitment to progressing his team.
‘I don’t know,’ Ten Hag said, when asked by BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker if he knew whether he would be in charge next season.
‘The only thing I’m doing is preparing my team, and developing my team. Progressing my team and individual players.
‘Because this is a project for me. When I came in I can say it was a mess. Now we are better. We are by far not where we want to be.’
