Former Manchester United players are making the managerial job less appealing for potential candidates, per The Telegraph.
Manager Erik ten Hag’s job is safe until the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25, despite their 4-0 mullering at the hands of a resurgent Crystal Palace on Monday.
The club might decide to part ways with the Dutchman at the end of the season.
However, some potential replacements are reportedly concerned about the constant barrage of criticism from United legends turned pundits.
Following the loss to the Eagles, ex-United pair Michael Owen and Paul Scholes called for Ten Hag’s immediate sacking on Sky Sports.
This is just the latest example of United’s ex-players, including Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane, publicly voicing their often-negative opinions on the club and its manager.
Sources close to potential candidates for the job say the outspoken former players create plenty of noise that makes the United job even less appealing.
No one would necessarily turn down the job because of it, but it’s a factor that adds pressure and makes the position seem more challenging.
This constant criticism comes on top of United’s already poor performance this season. Champions League qualification is now mathematically impossible, and the club is even at risk of missing out on European qualification altogether.
Chelsea have now climbed above Man United into seventh place in the table, with the Red Devils dropping to eighth.
United’s hierarchy are reviewing the season, including Ten Hag’s communication with the squad and overall performance. His future will be decided after the season ends.
Thomas Tuchel has emerged as a top contender to replace Ten Hag after he agreed to part ways with Bayern Munich this summer.
The German manager is angling for a return to the Premier League, where he once managed Chelsea and views Old Trafford as a potential destination.
