Gary Neville has voiced his concerns about Gareth Southgate potentially replacing Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager. With Ten Hag facing growing pressure after United’s disappointing start to the season, Neville believes Southgate is not the right fit for the club.
Reports suggest that Ten Hag’s job is safe for now, but whispers from within the club indicate otherwise. According to Neville, even though Gareth Southgate has been successful with England, the dynamic at Manchester United is very different.
Neville Questions Southgate’s Compatibility with Manchester United
Speaking on the It’s Called Soccer podcast, Neville elaborated on why he thinks Southgate and Manchester United are incompatible. “I’ve never seen Gareth as a fit for Manchester United,” said Neville. “And I’ve never seen Manchester United as a fit for Gareth.”
Neville pointed out that Southgate has done well with England, but added that Manchester United fans would likely greet his appointment with skepticism. According to Neville, fans are not yet connected to the idea of Southgate managing the club.
“He would come in with a lot of doubt from the fans, just like he did with England,” Neville stated. He acknowledged that Southgate could potentially change the fans’ perception, but emphasized that the initial reaction would not be positive.
Ratcliffe’s Vision for Manchester United
Reports suggest that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a major figure at the club, wants a British manager to take over if Ten Hag is sacked. This aligns with Neville’s point that Southgate is being considered, but Neville insists that it wouldn’t excite fans.
Neville isn’t alone in his concerns. TEAMtalk recently reported that Ratcliffe is looking for the “best of British” to lead United, which could open the door for Southgate, along with other British candidates like Graham Potter and Eddie Howe. However, sources suggest that Potter and Howe are more favored than Southgate at the moment.
Potter and Howe in the Mix
Aside from Neville’s concerns, Manchester United is reportedly looking at multiple British managers. Graham Potter and Eddie Howe are the front-runners, both of whom are currently more favored than Southgate for the United job.
Neville’s opinion aligns with many fans who feel that Southgate, while a competent manager, might not bring the dynamic style or excitement that Manchester United requires.
European Options Also Being Considered
If the club opts to look beyond British managers, Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi is reportedly another candidate. Interestingly, some reports have even linked Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp to the Inter job if Inzaghi were to move to Old Trafford. These rumors underline the growing uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future.
Neville Reflects on Man Utd’s Recent Decisions
While Neville focused on the managerial situation, Manchester United has faced criticism for other recent decisions. Italian journalist Riccardo Trevisani recently slammed the club for selling Scott McTominay, who has been shining since his move to Napoli.
Trevisani argued that McTominay, with his grit and goalscoring, should have stayed at the club. He went as far as to claim that nothing at Manchester United is working, pointing to poor decisions in the transfer market and player management.
Fergie’s Influence and Scholes’ Comments
Amid all the uncertainty, one name that has surfaced is former Juventus boss Max Allegri. Some reports suggest that Sir Alex Ferguson sees Allegri as a suitable replacement for Ten Hag. Meanwhile, former Manchester United legend Paul Scholes made his own headlines by suggesting that Ruud van Nistelrooy, currently on the coaching staff, wouldn’t have signed players like Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee.
Neville’s Stance on Southgate Clear
While the speculation about Neville’s stance continues, one thing is clear: Gary Neville does not believe Gareth Southgate should take the reins at Manchester United. As pressure mounts on Erik ten Hag, Neville’s concerns resonate with many fans who want a manager capable of revitalizing the club’s fortunes, but question if Southgate is that man.
