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MANCHESTER UNITED left managerial candidates shocked with their low wage offer and tiny transfer budget, reports say.
United decided to stick with Erik ten Hag after he won the FA Cup to make it two trophies in as many seasons.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has stuck with Erik ten Hag[/caption]
Ten Hag stays after two trophies in as many seasons[/caption]
But the call was only made after several interviews with potential replacements amounted to nothing.
According to The Times, one manager on the shortlist was “astounded” by the low wage offered for the United job.
Meanwhile another was unimpressed by the transfer budget, which the club hope to boost by selling the likes of Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood.
Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna, Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank all held talks with United directly or through intermediaries.
England manager Gareth Southgate is admired by the Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe and sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford.
But the Three Lions boss refused talks before Euro 2024 is over and will only be available when his contract expires at the end of the year.
Ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel ruled himself out of the running after holding talks with Ratcliffe in Monaco last week.
The German is believed to have mentioned signing Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger, 31, who won the Champions League with Tuchel.
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Though Rudiger is out of United’s price range with the club said to only have a gross budget of around £35million to spend this summer.
United are in the market for a centre-back but Rudiger is considered too old and would rather stay at Real than play Europa League football at Old Trafford next season.
Pochettino became available following his abrupt departure at Chelsea after just one season in charge.
But it is claimed Poch never really felt that United wanted him.
Brentford also insist they never had any contact from United regarding Frank.
And there were doubts if United would pay the multimillion-pound release clause in his contract as well as the one that McKenna has with Ipswich.
It left Ten Hag’s future in doubt – but the Dutchman kicked back with a two-and-a-half-week break including a family holiday to Ibiza.
Thomas Tuchel ruled himself out of the running[/caption]
Mauricio Pochettino was available after leaving Chelsea[/caption]
Brentford manager Thomas Frank was another target[/caption]
Although there was not much time to relax as the United board conducted a post-season review.
But Ten Hag was not pleased with the pace of the process and the “lack of communication and transparency from the club”.
He was kept him in the dark over a process that centred around his future and whether he would be sacked or not.
But after several rounds of interviews and talks, Ten Hag has received backing from United.
And the Old Trafford hierarchy could make a total U-turn by offering Ten Hag a contract extension despite being seemingly ready to fire him.
United are due on pre-season tour to America on July 24 – but Ten Hag wants his squad revamped by then.
A centre-back, a midfielder and striker are among his top priotirty.
He is believed to be reluctant to cede power to Ineos when it comes to transfers.
Erik ten Hag is no safer now than before FA Cup win
By Neil Custis
After Manchester United announced Erik ten Hag was staying on, they tried to explain why it has taken over two weeks since the Dutchman paraded the FA Cup at Wembley to actually tell him he still had the job.
A thorough review of the season was needed even though Ten Hag said before the Cup final that this had been done.
The club said that they had ‘considered all eventualities’.
In other words ‘which manager would be best for us, and not necessarily the bloke we have got?’.
And the club were also at pains to make it clear how much they admired Ten Hag’s ‘dedication, dignity and professionalism’.
In other words he did not publicly flip his lid at the appalling way he was being treated despite asking Ratcliffe for a public vote of confidence months before the end of the season.
Let us remember Ratcliffe did not even namecheck Ten Hag in his ‘congratulations message’ after the FA Cup was won, despite the fact it was all down to him and the way he outthought Pep Guardiola on the day.
Read the full column from Neil Custis on Manchester United.
United’s new minority owners – in charge of football operations – want to give more power to the recruitment team when it comes to signings.
But it is written in Ten Hag’s current contract that he has a veto on all potential deals.
So it is expected that Ten Hag will demand Jadon Sancho is sold amid their public fallout last year.
Sancho was loaned back to old club Borussia Dortmund where he rediscovered his form.
But the damage appears to be done with Ten Hag and the performances in Germany will only serve to interest potential suitors.
Marcus Rashford is another who faces an uncertain future in Manchester.
And his boyhood team are said to be open to selling the forward, who did not make Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
United finished in eighth last season – their worst in Prem history.
But whether it be the saving grace of the FA Cup win or no suitable replacements, Ten Hag has retained his place at the United helm – for now.
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
