MANCHESTER UNITED were turned down by Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi after lining him up as under-fire boss Erik ten Hag’s replacement, reports claim.
Ten Hag, 54, has been enduring another turbulent campaign in charge of United, who are winless in their last four matches across all competitions.
The Dutchman suffered a miserable 3-0 loss to Tottenham at Old Trafford, right after a shocking 1-1 home draw with minnows Twente in the Europa League and a goalless tie at Crystal Palace.
And things got even worse on Thursday at Porto where the Red Devils surrendered a 2-0 lead and drew 3-3 thanks to a last-gasp equaliser by Harry Maguire, while Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second time in just four days.
Ten Hag’s position is becoming increasingly untenable and transfer insider Tancredi Palmeri revealed the Manchester giants’ chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe is holding “frantic talks” regarding the managerial position.
Palmeri claims United could move for a new head coach during the upcoming international break, which starts on Monday.
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And the Premier League giants reportedly offered the top job to Inzaghi, who won the Serie A last season and led Inter to the Champions League final the previous term.
The Italian tactician was asked to take over with immediate effect but he declined.
Palmeri tweeted: “Frantic talks underway at Manchester United to decide whether to proceed with a manager change during the break.
“Manchester United in recent days offered the bench to Simone Inzaghi to take over immediately during the break but Inzaghi declined”.
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Inzaghi’s Inter are currently fourth in the Serie A table with only two points separating them from leaders Napoli.
The Nerazzurri won three and only lost one of their first six league matches.
The Italian champions are also impressing in the Champions League as they drew 0-0 at Manchester City – in an unofficial rematch after losing the 2023 final – and destroyed Red Star Belgrade 4-0.
Simone Inzaghi’s managerial career
Here’s Simone Inzaghi’s full managerial career by the numbers:
- 2016-21 LAZIO
Games: 244
Wins: 131
Draws: 43
Losses: 70
Titles: Coppa Italia (2018-19), Italian Super Cup (2017, 2019)
- 2021- INTER MILAN
Games: 166
Wins: 108
Draws: 31
Losses: 27
Titles: Serie A (2023-24), Coppa Italia (2021-22, 2022-23), Italian Super Cup (2021, 2022, 2023), Champions League final (2022-23)
Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
