Manchester United ‘held face-to-face talks’ with shock manager to replace Erik ten Hag after Ratcliffe announced he will be continuing at Old Trafford next season
Before opting to continue with Erik ten Hag going ahead, Manchester United consulted with Fulham manager Marco Silva, according to sources.
It follows the club’s announcement that Ten Hag will guide United into a third season following a thorough end-of-year assessment included many candidate interviews.
Considered as well were more well-known options like Thomas Tuchel and Roberto Dezerbi, Mauricio Pochettino, Gareth Southgate, and even Brentford’s Thomas Frank. Before Kieran McKenna secured a fresh contract at Ipswich, he too came under scrutiny.
Silva was one name kept mostly out of the public domain however. Following Fulham to another mid-table finish – 13th place and 47 points against 10th and 52 in his first year back in the Premier League – he apparently met with United in the week before the FA Cup final.
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United spoke with Silva personally; the Athletic add that only two days before the final, around the time Ten Hag gave his pre-match news conference reaffirming plans to stay for the 2024/25 season despite some advice a decision to fire him had already been taken.
Silva was also a name connected as an outsider looking for the open Chelsea post at the time. United was also talking about De Zerbi that week as Tuchel and Pochettino were being visited concurrently. Along with Roberto Martinez, it is also said that Ruben Amorim, a name connected with Liverpool, West Ham, and Chelsea, was also mentioned.
United decided to keep with Ten Hag, though, and he is now in a position to sign a prospective contract extension as well. Ten Hag has been supported by Ineos and the think-tank under Sir Jim Ratcliffe for both winning the FA Cup and attaining trophies in every one of his first two years in leadership.
Ten Hag’s involvement with young players also impresses United, and they highlighted the mitigating action that resulted in the challenges until 2023/24.
