Erik ten Hag wanted by three European clubs - with Manchester United sack looming: report

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Erik ten Hag and Manchester United could be set to part ways in the summer, but the Dutchman won't have any trouble finding a new job

Erik ten Hag during Manchester United's defeat to Bournemouth in December 2023.

Erik ten Hag's job is under threat

 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag might not need to worry about losing his job at Manchester United, with three other attractive clubs in Europe currently available and considering him as their new boss. 

Reports emerged earlier this week that Manchester United's new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants current England manager Gareth Southgate to take over at Old Trafford following Euro 2024, putting Erik ten Hag's position under threat.

And with the Dutchman's future uncertain, other clubs in Europe have started to look at the possibility of appointing Ten Hag their new manager for the start of the 2024/25 season. 

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag alongside Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe might look to replace Ten Hag in the summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to the Daily Star, Ten Hag is on the shortlist of Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart, with all three Bundesliga sides all interested in acquiring his services ahead of next season.

Of course, that'll be dependent on the managerial merry-go-round that is set to endure this summer. Bayern Munich's main replacement for Thomas Tuchel seems to be Xabi Alonso, though Liverpool are reportedly leading the race for the Spaniard.

If Alonso does decide to join Liverpool, then that'll leave both Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen scrambling for a new boss. Ten Hag would certainly welcome offers from both clubs, too - he previously worked at Bayern as the reserve team manager a decade ago, while Leverkusen look set to land their first-ever Bundesliga title this season.

Erik ten Hag and Manchester United opponent and Liverpool target Xabi Alonso of Bayer 04 Leverkusen looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Europa-Park Stadion on March 17, 2024 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

Alonso could have a huge bearing on Ten Hag's future (Image credit: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Stuttgart, meanwhile, are also an attractive proposition. Currently third in the table, they look set to qualify for next term's Champions League, and have a promising squad reminiscent of the one Ten Hag worked with during his time at Ajax.

Whether they will choose to dispense of current incumbent Sebastian Hoeness, though, is another matter - especially if he manages to land the club Champions League football after his first full season in charge. But Hoeness is still only 41, and he could depart for a more attractive role in Europe if offered the chance.

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Ryan Dabbs
Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.