March 23, (THEWILL) – The interview process for a new manager at Manchester United has commenced, and Ajax manager Erik ten Hag was the first to speak to the club formally.
United’s managerial hunt has accelerated in recent weeks, led by football director John Murtough. For the past month, Murtough and his staff, including current interim manager Ralf Rangnick, have been conducting research on the major prospects, with Ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino emerging as the frontrunners.
Ten Hag is thought to have met with United on Monday, and Pochettino is expected to meet with them this week. Julen Lopetegui, the manager of Sevilla, and Luis Enrique, the national coach of Spain, are also expected to be interviewed for the position.
At this point, Lopetegui and Enrique are seen as outsiders, but Richard Arnold, Old Trafford’s Chief Executive, insisted on a thorough search, which Murtough is demonstrating by talking to four high-calibre candidates.
United hope to make a decision over the international break in the following two weeks. Even if the decision is not publicly announced, it will be known and decided on internally.
United believes that making a decision as soon as possible will allow the club to move forward with their objectives for next season and beyond.
During the vetting process, Ten Hag delighted United’s research team and is widely regarded as the favourite for the post. Pochettino, on the other hand, has a number of admirers in the Old Trafford hierarchy and should not be underestimated in the race for the manager’s job.
Pochettino and Ten Hag’s current contracts with Paris Saint-Germain and Ajax, respectively, are set to expire in 15 months.
United are looking for their next permanent manager after parting ways with former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last November. Rangnick was named interim manager to take over in the short term before a permanent appointment is made ahead of the 2022/23 season. Rangnick will remain with the club in a consulting capacity.
At the conclusion of the process, Arnold will make the official announcement after the Glazer family has given their approval.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
