Erik Ten Hag has been the Manchester United manager since April 2022, and the ex-Ajax coach has steadied the Red Devils’ ship and taken them to the Carabao Cup final, and his United team are on course for a top-four finish – not bad for his first season in charge.
Talk of who should replace Ten Hag seems premature, but these days, no Premier League manager is 100% safe from the sack – so it’s no surprise that bookmakers are offering odds on who could end up in the Old Trafford hot seat next.
How Long Will Erik Ten Hag Last?
The Dutchman, Ten Hag, assumed the position of Manchester United manager after leading Ajax for four and a half years. He was granted a contract that lasts until June 2025, with an added option to extend for an additional year. Sources state that the 52-year-old is earning a salary of £9 million per annum (£173,000 / $203,000 per week) as the manager of Manchester United, as reported by The Sun.
Erik’s first season in charge of United has given supporters plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Ten Hag’s side has contended well in the Premier League and is set for a top-four finish while also winning the Carabao Cup. A possible F.A. Cup final looms and United are still in the Europa League.
The odds of Erik Ten Hag staying at the club until his contract expires look favourable at the moment. However, football is a fickle game, and a few bad results could see the Dutchman out of a job sooner than expected.
Who is most likely to be the Next Man Utd Manager?
If Ten Hag does leave, the club has a number of potential options to replace him. Let’s take a look at the front runners for the Next Manchester United Manager.
Mauricio Pochettino
The bookmakers’ favourite at the moment is Mauricio Pochettino, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain coach, appeared to struggle with managing high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar during his time in the French capital.
Pochettino’s family still resides in England, and it appears that he desires to return to the Premier League. United provides the perfect challenge for Pochettino, and he would have a wealth of resources to work with.
Graham Potter
If Potter’s move to Stamford Bridge does not work out, he would surely be on United’s radar as a possible replacement. Potter is well-known for his attractive playing style and ability to develop young players.
According to Pep Guardiola, Graham Potter is the best English manager. He has “all you need” to become an elite manager, said Jurgen Klopp. However, Potter’s results at Chelsea have been underwhelming, and it remains to be seen if he would be a good fit at Old Trafford.
Will Still
Will Still, the manager of Stade de Reims, has expressed his desire to potentially manage a team in England sometime down the line. If you asked any kid what they would like to do, they’d say they’d love to be a Premier League footballer or manager and I’m no different.
The young manager is shaking up the French league with his exciting style of football and emphatic philosophy. It appears that he is not yet ready for a role at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, but his name is one to watch out for in the coming seasons.
So who will replace Erik Ten Hag as manager of Manchester United? It’s anyone’s guess at this point, although Mauricio Pochettino currently leads the betting odds. Graham Potter and Will Still are two other dark horses that could potentially be in contention for the role.
Betting & Odds
If you’re looking to take a punt on who will be the next Manchester United manager, you’ll find plenty of betting options available.
Betfred, Betfred, and Ladbrokes are all offering a range of markets on the potential appointment. Mauricio Pochettino remains the favourite to take over at Old Trafford, with odds as low as 5/4. Graham Potter is available at around 9/1 while Will Still can be found up to 150/1 – making him an interesting option for those looking to back an outsider.
No matter who is appointed, it promises to be an exciting time for Manchester United fans as they await the arrival of their next manager. The club will have plenty of options, and time will tell who that person is- but in the meantime, let the speculation begin!
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Who are the Longest-serving Managers in Manchester United History
The longest-serving manager in Manchester United’s history is Sir Alex Ferguson, who managed the club for 26 years, from 1986 to 2013.
During his tenure, he won 13 Premier League championships, five Football Association (FA) Cup victories (1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, and 2004), and two Champions League titles (1999 and 2008).
The second-longest serving manager is Sir Matt Busby; during his tenure as Manchester United’s manager for over 25 years, Sir Matt Busby steered the club towards unparalleled domestic success and remarkable achievements in European football.
His approach involved a blend of nurturing young talent, strategic player acquisitions, and effective leadership, ultimately elevating Manchester United to become one of the most successful clubs in the country.
Both Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby are considered two of the most influential figures in Manchester United’s history, having helped shape the club into an iconic footballing institution.
Other notable long-serving managers in Manchester United’s history include Ernest Mangnall (1903-1912). Mangnall won two first-division titles and one F.A. Cup during his time at United.
Following his stint at Manchester United, Ernest Mangnall transitioned directly to Manchester City. His final match as United’s manager was the Manchester derby, where it was already known that he would be joining City as their manager. The Blues emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline at Old Trafford, and the press highlighted Mangnall’s elation at the outcome.
It should be noted he won no trophies or titles during his time with Man City!
Manchester United Interim/Caretaker Managers
In addition to the longest-serving managers in Manchester United’s history, there have been several interim/temporary appointments throughout the years.
For example, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed as the club’s interim manager following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal in December 2018 and eventually took up the job on a permanent basis.
Here’s a list of some of the other notable interim/temporary appointments in Manchester United’s history:
Clarence George “Lal” Hilditch (33 Games)
Clarence George “Lal” Hilditch, an English footballer, holds the distinction of being one of two individuals to have simultaneously served as a player and manager at Manchester United, with the other being Ryan Giggs.
In October 1926, following the suspension of John Chapman for undisclosed reasons, Hilditch was appointed as the manager for the remainder of the season while also continuing to fulfill his on-field responsibilities as a player.
T. J. Wallworth (6 Games)
T.J. Wallworth, hailing from Bolton, Lancashire, served as the acting secretary for Manchester United from 9 September 1912 to 20 October 1912. It is worth noting that during this period, the term “manager” was not used at Manchester United.
Wallworth’s appointment as secretary followed Ernest Mangnall’s resignation in August 1912, and he continued in the role until John Bentley’s appointment in October 1912.
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Jimmy Murphy (22 Games)
Following the tragic Munich air disaster on 6 February 1958, Jimmy Murphy assumed the role of temporary manager at Manchester United while Matt Busby was recovering from his injuries.
Despite the immense challenges that the team faced, including the loss of several key players, Murphy managed to assemble a substitute team and lead United to the 1958 FA Cup Final.
Murphy’s absence from the fatal flight was due to his involvement in managing Wales during a World Cup qualifying game.
Ryan Giggs (4 Games)
Ryan Giggs is one of the few individuals to have simultaneously served as a player and manager at Manchester United. Following David Moyes’ dismissal in April 2014, Giggs was caretaker manager for four games.
Michael Carrick (3 Games)
Following Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s departure from his managerial role, Carrick was appointed as caretaker manager. During the 3-game reign of Carrick, his record included 2 victories and 1 draw.
Ralf Rangnick (29 Games)
Ralf Rangnick was given the task of managing United until Ten Hag’s appointment. He had 29 games in charge and recorded a 37.93% win ratio during his time in charge. This made him one of the worst-performing managers in United’s history.
Who was the Worst Manchester United Manager?
As previously mentioned, Ralf Rangnick is one of the worst-performing managers in Manchester United’s history, but who was the worst of all time? Let’s take a look at the candidates.
Jimmy Murphy has the lowest win ratio of any Manchester United manager at just over 22%. However, in Jimmy’s defense, his appointment was in the wake of a disastrous tragedy, and, in spite of this, he managed to lead United to the 1958 FA Cup Final.
Jack Robson (Manager 1914-1921) has the second-worst win ratio at just over 29%. He was in charge of United during the Great War, meaning that he oversaw Manchester United during a period of upheaval and uncertainty.
Finally, Wilf McGuinness (Manager 1969-1970) is the fifth worst, with a win ratio of just 36%. It is worth noting that his appointment followed Matt Busby’s retirement and that he was dealing with a United squad in transition.
So there you have it, a brief overview of the worst-performing managers in Manchester United’s history. Do you want to know who had the best statistical win record? After 46 games, Erik Ten Hag has a chart-topping win ratio of 71%. Followed by Alex Ferguson at 59%
