Erik ten Hag linked with a Champions League side as ex-Man Utd manager eyes return to coaching

Erik ten Hag is reportedly being considered for a quick return to management following his dismissal from Manchester United. The Dutchman was sacked in October with United languishing in 14th place after their worst-ever start to a Premier League season, with just nine games played. A defeat to West Ham marked the end of his tenure, leading to Ruud van Nistelrooy stepping in as interim manager before Ruben Amorim was appointed as a permanent replacement.

Despite winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup during his time at Old Trafford and achieving a 55% win rate, the 54-year-old was unable to turn United’s season around. Currently taking a break from management and watching football back in the Netherlands, Ten Hag may soon find himself back on the touchline.

According to Patrick Berger of Sky Germany, Ten Hag is a potential candidate to replace Marco Rose at RB Leipzig. Rose faces mounting pressure after six winless games, with Leipzig sitting fourth in the Bundesliga and struggling in the Champions League, where they are winless in five matches and sit 34th overall. Their recent 5-1 loss to VFL Wolfsburg further compounded their woes.

Leipzig’s upcoming round of 16 clash with Eintracht Frankfurt could determine Rose’s fate, and the club is already exploring potential successors. Roger Schmidt, a former Red Bull Salzburg manager and Bayer Leverkusen boss, is a top contender. However, Schmidt, currently unemployed after being dismissed by Benfica in August, reportedly prefers to start a new role in the summer rather than mid-season.

This scenario could pave the way for Ten Hag, who has prior experience coaching in Germany, having managed Bayern Munich’s second team during Pep Guardiola’s

tenure.