Manchester United 'have NINE-MAN shortlist to replace Erik ten Hag including three current Premier League managers' following Gareth Southgate's refusal to discuss the job
- Manchester United have a nine-man shortlist of Erik ten Hag replacements
- Gareth Southgate says he won't talk about United while in charge of England
- Gareth Southgate deserves greater respect amid Man United links... who are these fools who doubt him? Listen to the It's All Kicking Off podcast
Manchester United have reportedly identified nine potential candidates to replace manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag's future is uncertain, with United currently in sixth place in the Premier League.
England boss Gareth Southgate had emerged as new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's preferred choice as United manager, but the 53-year-old said he will not talk to any clubs while he is in charge of the Three Lions.
![Manchester United have nine potential candidates that could replace Erik ten Hag](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/13/82808263-13230785-Manchester_United_have_nine_potential_candidates_that_could_repl-m-92_1711199459709.jpg)
Manchester United have nine potential candidates that could replace Erik ten Hag
![Sir Jim Ratcliffe could look to bring in a new manager to try and improve United's fortunes](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/12/82807411-0-image-a-44_1711196252356.jpg)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe could look to bring in a new manager to try and improve United's fortunes
![Gareth Southgate stated he will not discuss the United job while he is in charge of England](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/13/82808265-13230785-image-m-94_1711199476832.jpg)
Gareth Southgate stated he will not discuss the United job while he is in charge of England
According to ESPN, nine other managers are currently under consideration by United.
Potential options include former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter.
Current Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is also on the shortlist along with Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel is being considered by United, as is ex-Wolves coach Julen Lopetegui.
Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, Sporting manager Ruben Amorim and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann complete the shortlist.
An ambitious move for Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou also hasn't been ruled out.
Commenting on being linked with the United job, Southgate said: 'My focus is the European Championship. If we did something, a contract here before, everyone would be saying, 'Why are you signing a contract before a Euros where you've got to prove yourself?'.
'I'm certainly not going to speak to anybody else ahead of that. I never have. I've been eight years in the job.
'I wouldn't entertain speaking to anybody else when I'm in a job.'
![Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is being considered by United](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/12/82807475-0-image-a-65_1711197207980.jpg)
![Brentford manager Thomas Frank is also on the shortlist](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/12/82807479-0-image-a-66_1711197207980.jpg)
![Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter is another potential candidate](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/12/82807523-0-image-m-64_1711197203234.jpg)
Roberto De Zerbi (L), Thomas Frank (C) and Graham Potter (R) are being considered by United
![Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel is an option](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/12/82807553-0-image-m-60_1711197078912.jpg)
![Ex-Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui could be targeted](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/12/82807569-0-image-a-59_1711197075579.jpg)
![Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is also being monitored by United](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/12/82807605-0-image-m-57_1711197071639.jpg)
Thomas Tuchel (L), Julen Lopetegui (C) and Zinedine Zidane (R) are also on the shortlist
![Sporting boss Ruben Amorim is another candidate](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/12/82807631-0-Sporting_boss_Ruben_Amorim_is_another_candidate-a-71_1711198109720.jpg)
![Germany Julian Nagelsmann is on the shortlist](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/12/82807637-0-Germany_Julian_Nagelsmann_is_on_the_shortlist-a-72_1711198109721.jpg)
![An ambitious approach for Tottenham's Ange Postecoglou hasn't been ruled out](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/23/12/82807979-0-image-m-70_1711198105086.jpg)
Sporting boss Ruben Amorim (left) and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann (R) are candidates
Pressed further on the situation, Southgate stated that it would be disrespectful to talk about managing United when Erik ten Hag is still in charge.
He said: 'There are two things from my point of view.
'Firstly, I am the England manager and I have got one job, basically, to try and deliver a European Championship.
'Clearly, before that, two important games this week. And the second thing is, Manchester United have a manager.
I think it is always completely disrespectful when there is any speculation about a manager who is in place. I am president of the LMA, so I don't have any time for that sort of thing.'
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