‘It’s completely different’ – Former Man Utd star fears Gareth Southgate would be ‘gamble’ as next manager
MANCHESTER UNITED should not “gamble” on bringing in Gareth Southgate – and instead stick with Erik ten Hag.
That is the view of former Red Devils defender Mikael Silvestre as new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe considers a radical switch at Old Trafford in the coming months.
Ten Hag, 54, is currently fighting to convince Ratcliffe – who became a minority shareholder in February – that he is the man to take United forward next season.
The Dutch coach has led the club to the FA Cup semi-finals after their thrilling 4-3 quarter final victory over rivals Liverpool – having also won the Carabao Cup last campaign.
However, United’s poor Premier League form sees them 17 points off leaders Arsenal and nine points off the top four with ten games remaining.
Ratcliffe is making big changes at United in preparation for next season, including sorting a sporting director, with talks ongoing with Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth.
A new manager is believed to also be high on his list. England boss Southgate is preparing for the Euros with the Three Lions this summer and is expected to lead them into the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Southgate, 53, however could still be persuaded by the United project, especially as he has already worked with Ashworth at the FA – but has not managed at club level since getting Middlesbrough relegated in 2009.
And Silvestre – who won five Prem titles at United between 1999 and 2008 – said: “I don’t believe it would be a big step for Gareth moving from international back into club football, but it’s a completely different scenario.
“You can’t rule out any potential candidate, but it would be a bit of a gamble because he doesn’t have much of a track record at club level.”
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Ten Hag was hired in May 2022, finishing third in his first full season, while also winning the Carabao Cup and reaching the FA Cup final – where United lost to Manchester City.
Silvestre believes Ten Hag should be given a chance to work with a fully-fit squad, with United ravaged by injuries this term, missing the likes of Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane and Mason Mount for large periods.
Gareth Southgate's managerial career
Here is how Southgate's managerial career has unfolded:
June 2006: Joins Middlesbrough on a five-year deal after Steve McClaren left to become England manager
May 2007: Guided Boro to a 12th place finish in his first season in Premier League management
May 2008: Boro finish 13th and beat Man City 8-1 on the final day as Arsene Wenger labels Southgate “good enough” to coach England
May 2009: Boro are relegated on the final day after defeat to West Ham but Southgate stayed on as boss
October 2009: Southgate sacked by Boro despite the club sitting just one point adrift of top spot in the Championship
August 2013: Succeeds Stuart Pearce as England U21s manager
June 2015: England U21s finish bottom of their European Championship group with just one point from three games
September 2016: Southgate takes temporary charge of England’s senior side following Sam Allardyce’s dismissal
November 2016: Appointed England boss on a four-year contract
July 2018: Guides England to the World Cup semi-finals – their first journey to the last four since Euro 96
July 2021: England reach their first major final since 1966 but lose to Italy on penalties at Wembley
November 2021: Signs a new contract to keep him as England boss until December 2024
December 2022: Reaches the World Cup quarter-finals before England are beaten by France
Speaking to gaming and Esports company GGRecon, the Frenchman added: “I would like Erik ten Hag to go into next season as Manchester United manager.
“I would like him to have the opportunity to showcase his ideas with a full squad at his disposal because this season’s been challenging for him and the team has struggled to progress.
“It’s been impossible to maintain the momentum they gained last season because a lot of key players haven’t been fit at various points of the season.
“I would definitely give him a third season if the decision was mine.”