Next Manchester United Manager: Southgate Still Favourite
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Manchester United's season was summed up in their FA Cup semi-final win over Coventry.
The Red Devils were overwhelming favourites on betting sites to beat the Championship side comfortably, and 70 minutes, all was going to plan.
Cruising at 3-0 with less than 20 minutes to play, however, the wheels came off as Coventry scored three times to force extra-time.
A VAR decision denied Mark Robins' side a winner in the 120th minute, and United held on to win in a penalty shootout.
For the first 70 minutes, Erik ten Hag must have thought speculation about his future was put to bed once and for all.
However, the collapse in the closing stages increases the pressure on the Dutchman, whose side are seventh in the Premier League, 16 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are all but over, so winning the FA Cup is the only chance for United to rescue something from their season.
Ten Hag could make it back-to-back seasons with a trophy, after lifting the Carabao Cup last season. But it's hard to see them beating Manchester City in this year's final.
Will Ten Hag be in charge of United next season? Bookmakers continue to have their say on who could replace the Dutchman if he leaves his role.
Former United defender Paul Parker believes the Dutchman deserves more time to continue the work he has started at Old Trafford.
"It (winning the FA Cup) would definitely give him something to say: look at what I’ve done, look at what I’ve achieved in my time with the club," Parker exclusively told Gambling.com.
"With last season, getting to two finals, getting into the Champions League, that would definitely give him something to flap in the faces of the hierarchy.
"He should get the opportunity to actually work for Manchester United. And the opportunity to be able to get what he wants, and the club owe him the opportunity to do that by getting rid of the deadwood."
If Ten Hag gets to stay in charge for a third season, then Parker says he needs to be backed in the summer transfer window by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who completed his deal to buy a 27.7% stake in the Old Trafford club in February.
Parker wants Ratcliffe to give the manager the best chance of succeeding next season, which the defender feels hasn't been the case in recent seasons.
"He (Ratcliffe) has to (back the manager in the transfer market)," Parker told Gambling.com.
"There’s no point in Ten Hag continuing to get last minute deals, and he (Ratcliffe) needs the people who have been brought into those departments to give the manager the best players available with the right characteristics.
“To play for Manchester United you need to be top calibre, and the club needs to bring in players who have the right mental strength and can hit the ground running, which is something they haven’t done in recent seasons.”
Ten Hag has just over 12 months left on his current deal and the arrival of Ratcliffe as new part owner could lead to the Red Devils making changes in the summer.
So, who will be United’s next permanent manager? Remember, this market remains valid even if Ten Hag stays put for four or five years, although many are beginning to wonder whether he will still be in place by the end of the season.
Southgate Remains Favourite For Old Trafford Job
Gareth Southgate remains the 7/4 favourite with BetVictor to be Manchester United's next permanent manager.
The England manager is preparing to lead his country into this summer's European Championships in Germany, where the Three Lions are favourites with football betting sites.
After 11 years as an international manager, the time might be right for Southgate to return to the day-to-day routine of club management.
However, if England are successful at the Euros, and get to the final on July 14, Southgate won't have much time to settle into his new role before the 2024/25 Premier League season, which is set to start on the weekend of August 17.
Graham Potter's Odds Shorten Further
Graham Potter's odds of becoming the next Manchester United shortened over the weekend, perhaps in light of what happened in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Potter was 3/1 last week to replace Ten Hag, but he's now the 9/4 second favourite on betting apps to return to management at Old Trafford.
Potter's coaching acumen is not in doubt. Anyone who witnessed his work at Swansea City and Brighton knows he is a sharp thinker who can combine style with results.
Unlike Southgate, Potter is available now and bookmakers continue with the Englishman as one of the favourites.
Tuchel Third Favourite For United Post
Thomas Tuchel's odds of being the next man in the Old Trafford dugout next season have also reduced in recent days.
The German was 8/1 last week, but he's currently 4/1 to replace the Dutchman.
Tuchel will step down as Bayern Munich's manager at the end of the season and would be available to start work in Manchester immediately.
If Tuchel is on United's shortlist, then they might get a Champions League winner with two different clubs.
The 50-year-old guided Chelsea to the trophy in Porto in 2021 and Bayern face Real Madrid for a place in this year's final.
Liverpool
Arsenal
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Liverpool
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De Zerbi Deserves To Be Considered
Brighton have struggled for form recently, but Roberto De Zerbi has done a remarkable job at the Amex Stadium, including a win at Old Trafford this season, and could be on the move at the end of the season.
The south-coast side have had to deal with European football for the first time in their history, which has had an impact on their league form.
But the Seagulls still have a chance of qualifying for Europe next season, if they can finish the season strongly.
United are one of many clubs that would be interested in taking the Italian off Brighton's hands, but a price of 8/1, means they could face stiff competition for his signature from the likes of Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Lopetegui Still A Possible Candidate
Former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui remains a 10/1 shot to replace Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
The 57-year-old has declared that he would like to stay in England for the foreseeable future and is actively looking for a job in the Premier League.
Lopetegui had success with Sevilla, leading them to a Europa League triumph, and is no stranger to being in charge of some of the biggest names having coached Real Madrid and Spain also.
With the pedigree and hunger that Lopetegui possesses, the Red Devils may turn to the former Madrid boss to restore order in the red side of Manchester.
Would Emery Leave Villa For United?
Unai Emery remains in the conversation and the Spaniard can be backed at 14/1 to be Manchester United's next manager.
Emery's impressive job at Aston Villa, propelling them to fourth place in the Premier League standings with a handful of games to play, showcases his managerial capabilities if given time.
The question Emery has to answer is, whether he sees a brighter future at Villa than at United? Qualification for the Champions League could see him stay in the Midlands.
Zidane And Frank Also On The List
Zinedine Zidane has been linked with United in the past, but recent times his price drift to 14/1.
The former France international won two La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues across two spells at Real Madrid, where he proved adept at managing big personalities and keeping everyone happy.
Zidane’s tactical astuteness is often underestimated, but he is untested outside the unique environment of Madrid.
He has also been out of work for more than two years, which suggests he is not exactly in a rush to get back into management.
The time could be right for Thomas Frank to move on from Brentford.
After finishing 13th and ninth, the Bees are 10 points above the relegation zone in their third season in the Premier League.
A 5-1 win at Luton helped ease any relegation fears around the Gtech Community Stadium.
Frank stays at 14/1 to be United's next manager.
Why Jose Mourinho Is In The Mix
After being sacked by Roma in January, Jose Mourinho has been linked with a number of vacancies in European football.
And of course, a return to Old Trafford has been mentioned and he is 16/1 to replace Ten Hag if the club decides to make a change of manager.
The Portuguese manager was in charge of the Red Devils between 2016 and 2018, finishing second, and winning the Europa League and League Cup during his reign.
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But, after beginning the 2018/19 season with just seven wins in the first 17 Premier League games, Mourinho was sacked and he may not want to reopen old wounds.
Julian Nagelsmann was in the mix until last week when he announced he would be extending his contract as Germany manager.
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