Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler believes Roberto De Zerbi is a “blindingly obvious” choice to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. The Dutchman is facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford after a difficult start to this season.
United find themselves in eighth place in the Premier League with five losses from their opening 11 games while they have only won one of their four Champions League group fixtures so far. If results don’t improve soon then Ten Hag could be out of the door before the end of the season and there is added pressure with the expected arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a minority shareholder.
Writing in his column with the Daily Mirror, Fowler listed seven potential candidates that could replace Ten Hag in the dugout providing United’s form continues to dip but named Brighton’s De Zerbi as the No1 choice.
“They can’t run the risk of going down the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer route again, even though I think the likes of Michael Carrick and Keiron McKenna have some credentials and obvious Old Trafford connections,” Fowler wrote. “They’re just not ready yet though.
“At the same time, the type of candidate they need, a manager with a proven track record over a long period at the top level, is not going to walk away from a big job to join United. Pep Guardiola won’t and neither will Jurgen Klopp. Carlo Ancelotti fits the bill, but he is going to walk away from Madrid to join them? Is he hell.
“So it will have to be a younger manager with a good track record who can step up to the next level. I think Unai Emery has that, and he’s doing a decent job at Villa after winning several European trophies.
“But the blindingly obvious one is Roberto de Zerbi. Many thought it would all collapse this season at Brighton after they lost their two biggest players, and virtually his entire midfield. But if anything, he’s consolidated the club.”
According to multiple reports, Ten Hag’s job will not be at risk until Ratcliffe’s buyout is complete. United’s board don’t want the added distraction of a change in management while they seek to strike up a deal with the English billionaire. It is also understood that as part of Ratcliffe’s proposal, recruitment will be handed over to a sporting director, leaving Ten Hag simply to coach.
