Erik Ten Hag’s role as Manchester United manager has become untenable—recent subpar results complemented by a lack of tactical structure & identity has made him unpopular with United’s fan base. Despite INEOS’ best attempts at implementing a club structure to delegate recruitment to (see the hiring of Ashworth, Berrada and co.) United’s player recruitment didn’t seem to be of a stark difference to their previous, Woodward led windows. But on the contrary, the squad is Ten Hag’s; the Dutch and particularly Ajax core shows that. This season, his tactical approach has somewhat improved, introducing a tweaked pressing structure and a clearer strategy in possession (albeit only witnessed fleetingly), but it is still unsatisfactory for a club of United’s stature. Whether it’s now or at the end of the season, it’s time for a new dawn at Manchester United, which can only bear fruit with the acquisition of a top manager.
United’s next manager has to be the right one, for the betterment of the team in the short & long term. A coach who prioritises organization, tactical clarity and profiling. Below, I will mention a few candidates and their suitability for the job.
Thomas Frank
Not the most attractive option, but one that will bring know-how and adaptability to a currently chaotic environment. United fans may turn their noses up at a coach that boasts only Brøndby IF and Brentford on their CV, but Frank is undoubtedly a skilled coach with a brilliant and well rounded understanding of the tactical side of the game; which United desperately need.
Despite his excellent job at Brentford, he hasn’t been a concrete option for bigger jobs due to his play style. He has been prepared to adapt on his attacking + positive tactics that he has previously adopted, and introduce more defensive solidity and IP verticality in replace of an attractive and protagonistic style of play.
He’s the profile of coach perfect for a short term rebuild. He possesses:
—Tactical know-how for multiple game states
—Player profiling, platforming + development
When you look at United’s squad, which consists of unbalanced players and profiles that suggest a different style of play in every position, you understand why someone like Frank is perfect in the short term. Organize in the short term, develop and pull together the squad, offer tactical improvement before United want to opt for a coach capable of establishing them within the elites.
Andoni Iraola
Moving on to the next manager, who is also plying his trade in the English Premier League. This time at Bournemouth, Spanish coach Andoni Iraola holds a similar skillset to Frank that suits United at this current moment of time. His clear identity and style of play has steered Bournemouth to mid-table security after their promotion in 2022.
Like Frank, Iraola has the experience, adaptability, tactical nous and player profiling United are currently lacking. At Bournemouth, he has developed a sound system, which includes a strong pressing structure, and an IP idea that suits his players and their relative quality compared to the rest of the league. His OOP principles of compactness, ‘locking in’ on one side {when ball goes wide}, and triggers offer a simple but effective solution to United’s current problems. The verticality he uses fits into ‘The United Way’, and (like Frank) his flexibility is always a valuable trait in the modern game.
Another sensible character that will improve the floor in the short term and lead the rebuild. A strong contender.
Thomas Tuchel
The most high profile option on the list, is UCL winner Thomas Tuchel. A generational tactician who has shown his elite coaching at an extremely high level, who is currently unemployed. But is he the right cultural & stylistic fit for United right now?
The answer is not a definite yes, which is as a result of United’s stage in their progression. Only one window into their long term project, their squad is still in disarray. Tuchel has shown his ability to do wonders with a poorly assembled squad (see 21’ CL win), but was unable to sustain the success past one season of dominance. So despite his world class tactical approach, he may have to rethink his approaches to suit United. He’s known for his demanding training methods that leads to short term results but also injury repercussions in the long term (Mount, James). United want short term stability and results, but not as a sacrifice to long term growth.
Also a man with the charisma for a Manchester United manager; his infectious personality quickly won over the hearts of Chelsea fans. This is almost a requirement for the job; someone who can come across well and lead his team with conviction on and off the pitch.
Tuchel with the right (delegated) recruitment coupled with a refinement of his methods can be the project coach for the next 5-10 years. But as of now, he’s still more suited to the final years of a project where he can ‘squeeze’ as much as possible out of his squad.
If Man United opt to change manager, he will be in contention, purely due to his elite tactical capabilities. The possibility of Tuchel on the Old Trafford touchline is definitely an attractive one; but United must think carefully of their next hire.
Simone Inzaghi
Last on my four man shortlist, is Simone Inzaghi. The dream option, the man to turn their fortunes around, to reinstate Manchester United back amongst the elites, domestically & globally.
Like Tuchel, Inzaghi is also an elite tactician, with structural integrity both sides of the ball. Possession that is creative and penetrative, while maintaining a solid rest defence, and a world class OOP structure. He can bring those to United and transform them in the short term—bringing organisation to a disenchanted team that lack the aforementioned structural integrity—and a long term tactical view that can slowly, incrementally, improve them.
His 3-5-2 may not utilise the club’s exciting young wingers brilliantly—but it suits their defensive profiles well, and brings pragmatism to a flimsy defence. Inzaghi’s United could look something like this:
Onana
Mazraoui; De Ligt; Maguire; Martinez; Dalot
Mainoo; Eriksen
Bruno
Hojlund; Rashford
in the short term, as they attempt to improve their squad over the next couple of windows.
The one major drawback with Inzaghi is the language barrier, something that is admittedly essential to top managers, in order to fluently and concisely get their message across. There’s also the question of whether he would accept it—going from a settled and dominant Inter side to a chaotic Manchester United wouldn’t be the smartest choice to maintain legacy, and it’s hard to say it would be an upgrade of any sort. But if he’s willing to take the challenge, Ashworth and co. should throw everything at the Italian to become the new boss.
A few honourable mentions to the job are Sebastian Hoeneß and Roberto De Zerbi. Both young(er) coaches with exciting style of plays, fixated on build up and control that are applicable in elite sides. But due to the poorly organised squad at the moment, they are not among the main and best choices for the hot seat due to their inexperience of the highest level. They could still succeed, but right now, not the best fit.
They may be better options down the line, if the job is handed to Iraola or Frank; organisational types who could ‘hand the keys’ to one more suited to elite football.
If United want to reclaim their position amongst the greats, they require a change in management soon, whether that be a short term ‘rebuilder’ or a long term face of project coach. If it’s any of the four mentioned, they stand a good chance.
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