Given how late the England manager would arrive at Old Trafford, Gary Neville believes there is “no way” Manchester United will replace Gareth Southgate with Erik ten Hag this summer.
Prior to the forthcoming European Championships, Southgate has made suggestions that he might leave the national team, although he has also stated that he might stay. Any offer made for Southgate would have to wait until after the European Championship, so he would arrive in mid- to late-July.
August 17th, one month and three days after the Euros final, marks the start of the new season. Neville says that Ten Hag will remain in his position despite growing pressure about his future, arguing that this is too short a turnaround for Southgate to take over as United’s manager.
The former United captain stated, “I’ve come to the conclusion that Southgate can’t happen [at United],” in an interview with the Stick to Football podcast. Man United cannot afford to wait until mid-July after the preseason has already begun, since it would give the impression that they are inexperienced.
“There’s no way that Gareth can announce he’s going to United before a major tournament. He won’t do that. You know Gareth and I know Gareth, there’s no way we’re going to see an announcement he’s going to leave England and join United.
“That would create absolute turbulence in the England squad. He’s not going to do that to the FA or England players. In my opinion, that’s not happening. It could but I don’t think so. The likelihood of them announcing him in July, after the tournament, I can’t see that. I think they’ll stick with Erik ten Hag.”
By the end of the season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe—who, it is understood by the Manchester Evening News, is not quite convinced that Ten Hag is this long-term choice—will decide whether to fire Ten Hag. Dan Ashworth, the targeted sporting director, collaborated with Southgate at the FA and is presently on gardening leave from Newcastle.
He also had a well-known job at Brighton & Hove Albion with Graham Potter, who was also associated with United. Ten Hag’s possible successor has also been linked to Thomas Tuchel, the outgoing Bayern Munich manager who Potter succeeded at Chelsea in 2022.