Who’s Favourite To Be The Next Manchester United Manager?
Last Updated: 10 Dec 2023
Manchester United have endured a disappointing start to the season and betting sites have a market on who their next permanent manager will be.
Erik ten Hag’s team have lost seven of their first 16 Premier League games, leaving them seventh in the table.
However, a run of three wins over Fulham, Luton and Everton (which helped the Dutchman pick up the November manager of the month award) appeared to see Ten Hag turn a corner.
This was until they threw away a two-goal lead against Galatasaray in their 3-3 draw - putting them on the brink of a Champions League exit - before going on to lose 1-0 against Premier League top four rivals Newcastle in the league.
A 2-1 home win over Chelsea lifted those clouds for a few days recently, but the storm has whipped up again following an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Make no mistake about it, Ten Hag can't rest on his laurels and is now heavily under the cosh. The problems at the club run deeper than the manager, but the Dutchman is no longer avoiding criticism.
His tactics have been called into question of late and subsequently Manchester United have banned a number of journalists from attending any press conferences.
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.
You can find the latest odds below, before we dive deeper into the issue of who might succeed Ten Hag.
Zinedine Zidane Emerges As Top Contender In Next Man Utd Manager Odds
Zinedine Zidane has been linked with United in the past and he is the 4/1 favourite on football betting sites to replace Ten Hag.
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.
Next Man Utd Manager Betting: Why Julian Nagelsmann Is A Top Pick
Julian Nagelsmann was sacked by Bayern Munich in March after a poor run of form.
Despite that disappointment, no one doubts that the 36-year-old is an extremely bright coach with a big future ahead of him.
Nagelsmann is currently in charge of the Germany national team after the DFB pulled the trigger on Hansi Flick in September. However, his contract runs out after Euro 2024 so he could be on the market again next summer.
Nagelsmann, listed at 5/1, is the type of manager that virtually every big club in the world would at least consider. United are unlikely to be an exception should they opt to make a change.
In The Mix: Assessing Graham Potter's Chances In The Man Utd Managerial Race
Graham Potter is now available at 6/1 with BetVictor, having been a 10/1 for a long time in this market. His coaching acumen is not in doubt; anyone who witnessed his work at Swansea City or Brighton knows he is a sharp thinker who can combine style with results.
But things went badly at Chelsea, where Potter arguably lacked the personality to manage superstar players.
Despite this, bookmakers have the Englishman as the third favourite to take over at Old Trafford and if poor results continue under Ten Hag, it could come to fruition very soon.
The Dark Horses: De Zerbi And Carrick Are Unexpected Man Utd Contenders
Brighton & Hove Albion may have won just two of their last 10 league matches, but Roberto De Zerbi remains one of the most in-demand managers in world football.
He has done a remarkable job at the Amex Stadium, including winning at Old Trafford this season, and is likely to be on the move at the end of the campaign.
United are one of many clubs that would be interested in taking De Zerbi, who is priced at 8/1, but they could face stiff competition for his signature.
Moreover, there is a chance that the Red Devils will miss out on the top four this term, which would make the job less appealing to De Zerbi.
Elsewhere, Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are challenging for the play-offs in Championship, as they seek a return to England's top flight.
He could become the manager at Old Trafford one day, but it is hard to see that happening any time soon - hence odds of 12/1.
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Predicting The Future: Odds And Insights On The Next Manchester United Manager
There are two managers each priced at 16/1 with betting apps. One of those is Antonio Conte, who departed Tottenham Hotspur in acrimonious circumstances before the end of last season.
Conte is undoubtedly a fantastic manager with a track record of winning trophies, but he is a difficult personality and United have shunned him in the past.
Gareth Southgate could hardly be a different character to Conte. The concern with him is that he has no recent experience at club level, while the England manager has his critics in the international game too.
Kieran McKenna is another outsider on the list, and his price has come into 14/1. The former United assistant manager has turned Ipswich Town into a formidable force and they look on course for successive promotions, taking them into the Premier League.
The 37-year-old could be a long term successor for the role, but given his managerial experience at present, it could be worth revisiting this option in years to come.
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