Manchester United face a huge summer and one big decision stands above the rest as Erik ten Hag fights for his future in the Old Trafford dugout.
Ineos are on board at Old Trafford and big changes are expected.
Key appointments are expected in the coming weeks and months.
Incoming CEO Omar Berrada is already on his way to United from Manchester City whilst Ineos would love to bring in Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth and Southampton’s Jason Wilcox.
Those deals may take a while to come off but Ineos are looking to land proven football people for the big roles in a new era at United.
If Ineos are already moving for a CEO, sporting director and technical director, it’s reasonable to expect that the manager’s position will be under scrutiny too.
Erik ten Hag has not built on last season’s third-place finish and poor performances will leave Ineos weighing up a change this summer.
Manchester United looks set to miss out on Julian Nagelsmann
We have already seen plenty of rumours surrounding potential managerial appointments to replace Ten Hag this summer.
Reports in April suggested that Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann was of ‘increasing interest’ to United and Ineos.
Nagelsmann – hailed as ‘fantastic’ by Jurgen Klopp – is set to lead Germany into Euro 2024 and you have to wonder if his timeline would really line up with United’s.
Would United be happy for Nagelsmann to coach at Euro 2024 and only then start work at Old Trafford?
That would be up for debate and it looks like Nagelsmann is about to rule out a move to United anyway.
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claims that Nagelsmann is now nearing a stunning return to Bayern Munich.
Nagelsmann was axed by Bayern in March of last year and replaced by Thomas Tuchel, but the Bavarian giants have lost their Bundesliga crown to Bayer Leverkusen.
Tuchel is leaving this summer and in a shock turn of events, Plettenberg claims that Nagelsmann is in ‘advanced talks’ over a comeback.
It’s surprising to see Nagelsmann being so willing to make a return after his rather brutal sacking just over a year ago, but it looks like he will be heading back to the Allianz Arena rather than to Old Trafford.
A bad time to want a new boss
Ineos are yet to – at least publicly – decide on Ten Hag’s future.
We don’t truly know if they are looking for a new manager right now but it’s a bad time to do so if they are, given the other clubs currently active in the manager market.
Barcelona are looking to replace Xavi whilst Liverpool are still seeking the successor to Klopp this summer.
Add in doubts about the future of Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and it looks like big clubs will chasing new managers at the end of the season.
That is hardly the best time for United to make a change but if Ineos don’t believe in Ten Hag, it may be better to part ways rather than drag it out into next term.
Nagelsmann is one name to cross off the list for United fans as Ineos weigh up their options ahead of the summer.