Next Man Utd manager odds: Ruben Amorim big favourite as Erik ten Hag is sacked
- Scott Allen
- 30 October 2024
Erik ten Hag has been sacked by Manchester United just nine games into the new Premier League season and now it looks as though Ruben Amorim is nailed on as his replacement.
The likes of Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick have all tried to raise United from the Ashes… all to no avail.
Erik ten Hag joins that illustrious list after a disastrous start to the 2024/25 campaign. The Dutchman led his men to three wins from their opening nine league games, leaving the Red Devils 14th in the standings.
With just eight goals to their name, United have the third-worst attack in the competition. Only Southampton and Crystal Palace have scored fewer goals.
Meanwhile in Europe, Ten Hag oversaw three draws from three games in a Europa League competition which United were meant to dominate.
Now that the Dutchman is gone, the question is who will take over what is one of the most difficult jobs in world football.
Here we take a look at a list of possible replacements.
(all odds correct as of article's last update)
Ruben Amorim - 1/50
He started the week at 8/1 but in just 24 hours has become the hot odds-on favourite.
The Sporting Lisbon manager has been in charge of his current club since the spring of 2020 and he has enjoyed considerable success.
With two league titles and three cups to his name, Amorim certainly knows how to win silverware, although only on his home patch.
He became odds-on favourite on Tuesday as United circled and then his odds dropped to 1/50 after the Old Trafford club confirmed they were willing to pay the £8.3million termination clause in his contract.
However, speaking after Sporting’s Portuguese League Cup win over Nacional on Tuesday evening, Amorim told reporters: “Nothing is decided yet. I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.”
In his post-match press conference, Amorim added: “We have to wait a little bit more to explain everything I need to explain and then everything will be very clear.
“It’s my decision. I will tell everything so we have to wait. That’s it.”
Sleepless nights ahead for Amorim.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy - 16/1
Former Man Utd striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy is already in the hot seat as the interim boss. But would he take the role on a permanent basis?
The Dutchman spent five seasons at the club in the early 2000s and was a prolific goalscorer, finding the back of the net 150 times in over 200 appearances.
Van Nistelrooy took PSV Eindhoven to two trophies during his last managerial run. Despite this, many would fear that Van Nistelrooy is Ten Hag mark two, just with more hair.
Gareth Southgate - 16/1
On paper, Gareth Southgate was the second most successful England manager of all time, leading the nation to two European Championship finals.
Despite his impressive tournament record, its fair to say there’s not much appetite for Southgate. While his record is undeniable, England’s style of football was rather boring – especially at Euro 2024.
While Southgate would undoubtedly relish a top managerial job, the fans will be far from inspired by his selection.
Xavi Hernandez - 20/1
Former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez is in the running.
The Spaniard is already one of the top contenders for the role but just like Van Nistelrooy, he's not exactly oozing with experience.
During his short managerial run, Xavi led Barcelona to a La Liga title and a Supercopa de Espana win in 2023.
Thomas Frank - 22/1
Could the Brentford manager bring his safe pair of hands to steady the ship at Old Trafford?
Frank recently revealed that he was 'open' to a Brentford exit and couldn't guarantee that he would stay with the west London club for the long run.
Man Utd part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe he said to favour a British manager, so that could put a stop to this train.
He's been as low as 5/1 on this list before Ten Hag was sacked, and his price keeps drifting. One to keep an eye on.
Graham Potter - 33/1
Former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter is becoming a regular fixture when any potential managerial job comes up.
He hasn't been in a full-time post since April 2023, when Chelsea gave him the boot and is yet to be snapped up by another team.
Potter has been linked with lots of clubs over the last season but has said he won't be rushed back into management.
However, whether Manchester United want Potter is another matter. He might have gone a bit mouldy sitting at the back of the shelf all this time.
Kieran McKenna - 33/1
After taking Ipswich Town to back-to-back promotions, it’s no surprise to see Kieran McKenna was among the favourites for the Man Utd job.
Some would suggest that McKenna lacks experience and considering he is just 38-years-old, that may be true.
Though taking Ipswich from League One to the Premier League in two and a half seasons is no mean feat.
What’s more, McKenna has previously worked at Man Utd as assistant manager to Mourinho, Solskjaer and Rangnick.
But despite being as low as 12/1 at the start of the season, McKenna has started to slide way down. This job might be too big too soon.
Michael Carrick - 40/1
Over 300 games as a Manchester United player, a short spell as coach and caretaker at Old Trafford doing a good-ish job at Middlesbrough in the Championship.
Those are the cards that make Carrick the fifth favourite on this list, but despire his background it's hardly the 'Hollywood' appointment the United fans crave.
He already looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders at Boro, it won't get any easier at Old Trafford.
Zinedine Zidane - 40/1
Zinedine Zidane reportedly held discussions with Manchester United director Jean-Claude Blanc about taking charge at Old Trafford.
He would be a star appointment for Manchester United, but he hasn't managed in England before and hasn't been in a competitive dugout since 2021.
Roberto De Zerbi - 80/1
Roberto De Zerbi was a leading candidate for many big jobs including Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Manchester United over the summer.
He secured a 6th-placed finish with Brighton in the 22/23 season and booked the club a place in the Europa League. They were also FA Cup semi-finalist.
But things started to sour and the club finished 11th in the following campaign and didn't go deep in any cup competitions.
The fans started to grumble, De Zerbi fell out with the board and he left the club in the summer and surprisingly joined French side Marseille.
He's going great guns in France and may not be tempted to move.
