Potential Manchester United candidates are being put off from replacing Erik ten Hag by the strong opinions of former players working in punditry, according to reports.
Erik ten Hag has had to navigate his way through swathes of criticism from ex-United players during his chaotic two seasons in charge that could soon be brought to its end.
A 4-0 thrashing against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday thrust Ten Hag's future into even more doubt as INEOS and United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe weighs up whether to sack the Dutchman.
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel and former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane have been sounded out as potential replacements for Ten Hag, but the impact of comments from former players is causing concern amongst some candidates, as reported by The Telegraph.
The progression from playing to punditry is a path that is often tread by former stars of the modern game, with United's cohort of legends popping up in increasing roles across broadcasters and YouTube channels.
Old Trafford legend Gary Neville has been highly-critical of United's performances this season and is constantly in the headlines for his comments on the goings on at the 13-time Premier League champions.
Rio Ferdinand is another of the club's iconic players that has passed judgement in the years following his departure and even runs his own YouTube channel that largely focuses on problems at United.
Premier League legend Paul Scholes regularly hits out at United' failures and called for Ten Hag to be sacked after the club's dismal showing against Crystal Palace, while Michael Owen insisted the Dutchman should leave before the end of the season. Owen Hargreaves is also a former United star who is now a television regular.
Two candidates who have been mentioned in the frame for replacing Ten Hag are believed to hold concerns over the negative media focus on the managerial hotseat at Old Trafford.
The 54-year-old United boss still has a year remaining on his existing deal and has tried to show an authority of confidence during his side's torrid recent performances.
Ten Hag recently fumed former players were 'forgetful' and insisted the likes of Ferdinand and Neville also endured times of underperforming during Sir Alex Ferguson's glorious reign.
Speaking at the end of April, he said: 'People forget that the Man United team of 2004-05, they also didn't play that great football (while Ferguson was building a new team around Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo).
'They were building and it took time but everyone forgets, even the players who were in the team.'
uioseb77
0
Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville will eat humble pie they think Ten hag will be fired people in top position see how the Man is struggling with injuries through out the season they are the same people that is destroying united with jealousy
If he is here for next season than then go f..k yourself in the 🚽🚽🚽
Jiselnpstu
0
you Nooooo
Roocnotuy
0
[image]
add van der garg also another bald
Roocnotuy
0
manu is now corrupt to the core. there needs a drastic change which ineos is working out even one piece of old wood in the management team will be an issue . players should not report to management. the likes of pogba ,martial were having links to glazers where the managers were not heard. glazers claim martial as one of the best but was only under rest for the whole career at manu. he has become so lazy that he could not find time to move to another club and play.
mezcilosuy
0
[image]
arteta has won nothing but ten hag has won a cup and also has reached fa cup final on role
SUKHENDEBNATH
1
Sezcdlnopr
2
coz the play a big part of you being saked
Peybcilouy
0
why is it that players look too old when they retire from active football?
InnocentTeddy
3
if its a must ten haag should be the last man to depart after rash,ericksen,antony,dalot,lindelof,martial,shaw,varane,tominay,maguire
BLKBtl
0
Dumbest post,why would a coach worried about ex players
huzabiptz
2
Ten hang must go because Dotmonnd are now in the final of Champions league with our best player the loan player sancho
huzabiptz
1
we are Ready to see a new Coach , weather Zidane, Tuchel, and any better Coaches NOT Ten hang 🖐
huzabiptz
2
who ever is coming to Man United to come but not Ten hang
huzabiptz
3
sackings Ten hang is the best
huzabiptz
3
Ten Hang must go because we can't be in a group stage of champions league out why....
huzabiptz
1
Ten hang is killing United 7 : 0 , 6: 0 ,4 : 0 , and being 8 position in PLB why....
Footballfannn2ll
0
Zinedine Zidane is the best man for the job. I don't believe in Thomas Tuchel.
huzabiptz
1
Tuchel must come and take over
huzabiptz
3
Ten hang must go
bamadiloty
0
zinedine zidane should come to old Trafford
To sink
Sebcemnpu
3
this is just a foolish post..why will a good coach..who knows what he is doing be worried about former players bad... just do your work well ....is there anywhere in the world without criticism ....? ..i believe that most of the coaches failing at M.united its because they lower their standards or don't have one...how can you be a professional construction engineer who knows what materials that are good a road or a building....but then allowed people to tell you what to use ...for a work you are hired to do.....i have a feeling that most of just coaches.....that are hired by this club maybe accept anything m.united offer them......i though real coaches decide who comes in ..who goes out and who plays...as well as who stays.....once i don't need you at a club as a coach....u will have to play with the reserve until the club find solution for you.......i stand to be corrected but i don't know if Pep or Klop have decided to move a player on but the player refused to leave...then they started playing them.......in any profession...the more you lower your standards the more you suffer.....if i were them...if i can't get what i need to be successful i will resign....maybe they need the money more than their reputations........where do we go from here...?
limaeilpu
2
even if Guardiola and Zidane take over as Manager and assistant manager respectively at Manchester United with that useless doctor still there they both will not succeed
limaeilpu
2
take a look at Arsenal injury records in the last and current season compared to seasons in the past which the useless doctor was in charge of their injured players. you will understand the major problem with Manchester United this season is the doctor. how will he pass an unfit player fit when the player is not fully fit
limaeilpu
3
how on earth will Manchester United hire a doctor sacked by Arsenal for his poor job done in the Arsenal team. now he has continued from where he left it at Arsenal with Manchester United. imagine a record high of 68 injuries in a single season. this is too much. no coach will succeed managing Manchester United with that useless doctor still working as the first choice doctor.
sencimnoz
1
we need Hansi flick
Huucdklnp
3
we don't need to sign a a coach that has name if we truly want to rebuild I think I will prefer Micheal carrick
mamcikrstz
4
Manchester united are struggling with injuries and we have good players the problem we have it's the coach Ten hag him self the relationship with the players is not good we need to find a batter coach who can wake with players
yutcklpstu
2
Garry and Scholes criticize utd managers by jealousy, simple as that. Both of them are one of the biggest failure ever among football managers.
Buwbemopyz
0
Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville will eat humble pie they think Ten hag will be fired people in top position see how the Man is struggling with injuries through out the season they are the same people that is destroying united with jealousy
he will be fired. who will keep such uselessness coach?
MrOduro
1
After the game, casemiro pulled his jersey and threw it to a fan, the fan threw it back at him 😂
Buwbemopyz
2
sack this useless coach. I told you keeping him means you keep more disappointment
sioabdeip
0
zinedine zidane should come to old Trafford
lol to stain his white
Jipdeikou
1
zinedine zidane should come to old Trafford
To do what????
Vauabmprsy
0
zinedine zidane should come to old Trafford
uioseb77
2
Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville will eat humble pie they think Ten hag will be fired people in top position see how the Man is struggling with injuries through out the season they are the same people that is destroying united with jealousy
VIKINGSB
2
Coaches running away from Man United hotseat be like 🤣...
VIKINGSB
3
10hag's family after hearing the minds of Man United legends... Rio, Paul and Owen...
weucdklopr
0
Jose