Erik ten Hag suddenly major contender for Premier League job as manager faces sack
Erik ten Hag is in line for a shock return to the Premier League just three months after he was axed by Bayer Leverkusen.
Ten Hag had one of the shortest managerial reigns in football history when he left the German club following just two games in charge back in September.
Since being let go of by Bayer Leverkusen, Ten Hag had been linked with the Wolves job until Rob Edwards filled the vacancy.
Similarly, Ten Hag just missed out on becoming the new Ajax boss after John Heitinga was dismissed in November, but now could be in line to make a bold comeback to the Premier League to follow up his mixed Man United tenure.
Ten Hag among managerial candidates in running for Leeds job
Football Insider exclusively revealed last Friday that Daniel Farke was expected to be sacked if Leeds failed to get points against Man City and Chelsea in their following two matches.
Prior to Leeds’ phenomenal 3-1 victory on 3 December, The Guardian (1 December) reported that Farke would go if they lost against Chelsea and Liverpool (6 December).
Whilst the German’s shaky position is perhaps a bit more stable after a monumental win over the Blues, his job isn’t completely safe yet.
In response, one major bookmaker has updated their odds, highlighting Farke still has a long way to go to guarantee he avoids the axe at Elland Road.
Ten Hag has pushed himself into second place at 6/4 with ex-Wolves manager Gary O’Neil leading the charge for the Peacocks’ post at 1/1.
Former West Brom boss Carlos Corberan and ex-Union Berlin head coach Bo Svensson closely follow behind at 6/1 with Brendan Rodgers coming in at 8/1.
Winter period to prove crucial to Farke staying as Leeds manager
Although the victory over the Blues would have given the Whites a much needed boost in the fight to beat the drop, the upcoming weeks are set to decide whether Farke will keep his job.
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away |
| 6 December | Liverpool | Home |
| 14 December | Brentford | Away |
| 20 December | Crystal Palace | Home |
| 28 December | Sunderland | Away |
| 1 January | Liverpool | Away |
Following a test from an out-of-form Liverpool side, Leeds will play Brentford, Crystal Palace and Sunderland in the next three.
Before travelling to face the Reds again on New Year’s Day, those three fixtures are possibly a stronger indicator of whether the German has the ability to turn things around in Yorkshire.
In particular, the Bees and the Black Cats will be must-win matches for certain, given both sides will be expected to drop off towards the relegation zone later on in the season.