Man United manager hunt down to final two after Sky’s Erik ten Hag talks reveal – pundit
Noel Whelan has tipped Man United to appoint one of Mauricio Pochettino or Erik ten Hag as their new manager.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the duo should be the only candidates in the Red Devils’ ongoing search for Ralf Rangnick’s successor.
As reported by Sky Sports on Thursday (24 March), United have interviewed Ten Hag over the Old Trafford job, with talks said to have been “positive”.
United’s hunt for a new manager has reportedly reached an “advanced stage”.
Sky claim Pochettino, Julen Lopetegui and Luis Enrique are the club’s other candidates.
However, Whelan suggested Man United should rule out the latter pair.
Asked if he thought Ten Hag should be a leading candidate, Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Yeah, definitely. I think there’s only two: Pochettino and Ten Hag.
“I would say if you’re going to go for anybody, it would be those two. What Ten Hag’s done at Ajax, the identity is all there, isn’t it? The structure of the football club at Ajax has always been excellent. There’s no doubt about that.
“That’s why you’ve had your Dennis Bergkamp’s, ex-Dutch players, World Cup stars. Their infrastructure is fantastic. Their way of bringing players through is exactly what Manchester United need as well.
“He seems to have a discipline and a way about playing which has been successful for Ajax. We’ve seen it this season in European football and in their domestic league.
“Those two for me are the top choice. Now they’ve held talks with him, I’m sure his CV says all again. You’ve probably got two different characters of manager and ways of playing.
“Pochettino did very well at Tottenham, got them to the Champions League final. He has dealt with with big names while at PSG and won titles and cups there.
“He fell short in the Champions League and I’m very sure that he will be available as well come the end of the season.
“Those two are the only two choices that they should be going down Don’t complicate the process of having more interviews. It’s one or the other.”
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