Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Manchester United reportedly approached Stuttgart’s manager, Sebastian Hoeness, to replace Erik ten Hag during the summer, only to be rebuffed by the skilled German coach.
Ten Hag was under immense scrutiny following a disappointing 2023/24 season. Despite securing the FA Cup, United ended up in eighth place in the Premier League and were at the bottom of their Champions League group.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe even held talks with ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel about potentially stepping into the role.
However, the United board ultimately chose to stick with Ten Hag and extended his contract until 2026, supporting him with a substantial £180million in the transfer market. Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte were among their high-profile summer signings.
Despite this, the decision-making process continues to face criticism. Ten Hag has since led United to their worst ever start to a Premier League season, securing just eight points from seven games – including crushing 3-0 home defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham – piling immense pressure on the Dutchman.
According to German outlet Bild, United had their sights set on Hoeness as a potential managerial candidate this summer, alongside Tuchel. It’s been suggested that the Red Devils even approached him about taking the helm.
However, Hoeness “declined” the offer, opting to stay with Stuttgart after their remarkable Bundesliga campaign last year, which saw them clinch second place behind champions Bayer Leverkusen and secure a Champions League spot.
Before Hoeness took charge at Stuttgart last year, they were often fighting to avoid relegation. However, he managed to steer them clear of the drop at the end of the 2022/23 season when his team triumphed over Hamburg in the relegation play-off.
Hoeness, who spent most of his playing career as an attacking midfielder for Hertha Berlin, started his managerial journey with Bayern Munich II before a two-year stint at Hoffenheim, where he secured a ninth-place finish in the 2021/22 season. For now, Ten Hag is set to continue his role as United boss, having seemingly survived a seven-hour crisis meeting chaired by Ratcliffe during the international break.
The former Ajax manager has previously stated that he has the backing of United’s leadership team and is preparing for a crucial home game against Brentford on October 19. His last two matches resulted in a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa and a 3-3 draw at Porto, with United squandering a 2-0 lead in the latter Europa League encounter.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1961546/manchester-united-contacted-bundesliga-boss-replace-erik-ten-hag