GARETH SOUTHGATE is the “obvious choice” to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United if he is sacked.
That is the opinion of former Chelsea and England star Joe Cole.
Cole, 42, believes Southgate’s previous links with new Man Utd sporting director Dan Ashworth will help “steady the waters” at the creaking Old Trafford outfit.
Speaking to PaddyPower, ahead of United’s trip to Porto this Thursday, Cole said: “Gareth Southgate is the obvious choice for Man Utd.
“If you look at the ownership group, with Dan Ashworth – he worked with Southgate at the FA and it actually reminds me a lot with when Gareth took over at England and having to steady the waters.
“The fans weren’t happy, and he managed to galvanise them and it might be the right place at the right time for Gareth.
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“I hate talking about next managers when the manager is still in play but it’s really tough to look at Man Utd and – knowing how football is – know that they must be thinking about doing something.
“Erik ten Hag is a top manager, and he’d walk away with his head high and silverware on the table – like he did at Ajax.
“He’ll get another job and that might suit his style a bit better.”
United have scored just five Premier League goals so far this season to eight conceded, with a record of two wins, one draw and three defeats.
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They also failed to beat FC Twente in their opening Europa League match, and now face a tough away test at Porto before travelling to Aston Villa before the international break.
Cole reckons that should the axe come down on Ten Hag, the Dutchman will be able to walk away with his head held high.
Cole said: “It could be a blessing that Manchester United are playing away from Old Trafford on Thursday [against Porto] in a game when not much will be expected of them.
“It’s a really tough part of our job because Erik ten Hag comes to speak to us and he’s always very respectful, he answers the questions, and he doesn’t shy away. But ultimately, it’s just not happening [for him].
“If he walks away he walks away from Manchester United in the next few months, he walks with his head held high.
“He won silverware and is part of the history but I think the players look like they need a new voice around them.
Man Utd ratings vs Tottenham
MANCHESTER UNITED suffered a 3-0 thrashing against Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half for fouling James Maddison, forcing Erik Ten Hag’s side to play with 10 men against Ange Postecoglou’s team.
After back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente fans hoped United would redeem themselves against Spurs.
However, the match at Old Trafford quickly turned sour. Brennan Johnson scored early and things worsened when Fernandes was sent off allowing Spurs to extend their lead to 3-0.
And here is how SunSports Charlie Wyett rated the Manchester United stars.
Andre Onana – 5
Stood his ground to deliver a good save from Timo Werner who was clean through – no chance for either goal.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
First in the refs’ book for chopping down Destiny Udogie. Could also have blocked Micky van de Ven for the goal. Just watched Solanke make it 3-0.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Shocking first half. Failed to cut out the cross from Micky van de Ven which led to the first goal.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Switched off for the Spurs goal and was drawn to the ball and Johnson was left unmarked.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Gave the ball away in dangerous areas and struggled against Johnson.
Manuel Ugarte – 5
Suffered a stinker and was lucky to last until the 73rd minute.
Kobbie Mainoo – 5
Not one of his better performances and was taken off just before half-time following Fernandes’ sending-off.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Over-ran the ball for Tottenham’s first. Way off the pace.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
Arguably the worst captain in United’s history. Deserved red card for his challenge on James Maddison.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Had United’s only chance in the first half but hit the outside of the post. Improved in the second half.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Looked completely lost up front – threatening to be another poor Erik ten Hag signing. Replaced at half-time.
Subs:
Mount (for Mainoo 45) 5, Casemiro (for Zirkzee 46) 7, Hojlund (for Rashford 73) 5, Eriksen (for Ugarte 73) 5.
“It’s really tough but I’m only going off what I see and how the players are reacting.
“The body language, they look lost and it’s hard because it’s Erik ten Hag’s team not doing well.
“He’s got a fantastic but tough job and he’s a nice guy but I just think it may have run its course.”
On the game against Porto this week, Cole added: “The problem with Manchester United coming to town, is when they’re a wounded animal, the name is still Manchester United.
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“The Porto players will be up for it, the manager and fans will be too and the whole place will be a cauldron.
“I’ve played there and it’s a tough place and I can only see a Porto win, I really can. I’d go with 3-1 Porto.”
Southgate turned England from deluded group of individuals into heroes who love pulling on white shirt, writes Charlie Wyett
GARETH SOUTHGATE won nothing but changed everything, writes Charlie Wyett.
The decision for him to resign is the correct one but Southgate leaves a legacy which will hugely benefit his successor.
So how will he be viewed in history? It might be kinder in a few years’ time.
At the moment, there is still so much frustration at the way it all ended in Berlin.
Yet Southgate is second only to Sir Alf Ramsey in terms of overall success and no other manager gets close.
To get to two major finals — one on foreign soil for the first time — was a huge achievement.
So was the overhaul of a dysfunctional football team which had just lost to Iceland at Euro 2016.
The players were so paranoid they even refused to tell us in France who was the best at playing table tennis.
That deluded group of individuals thought everyone was against them — and they weren’t.
Southgate changed all that with a far more grown-up approach.
He encouraged the players to tell their own story, to express themselves, and he got rid of a siege mentality that did not need to exist.
Former manager Fabio Capello used to moan that the England team played with fear.
Under Southgate, players loved pulling on that white shirt.
There were no more cliques, no more egos and no more pulling out of squads with dubious injuries which then cleared up by the next Prem game.
Southgate created a club atmosphere within the England team and now you only have to look at the pictures each time the players greet each other at St George’s Park.
They are all mates, pulling together in the same direction, as it should be.
Southgate has been a class act and he leaves with his head held high.
England just fell short with him in charge. There’s no denying that.
But let’s hope Southgate will still get the respect he deserves and is remembered as the man who did, indeed, change everything.
Read Charlie Wyett’s full article on Gareth Southgate.
Or check out all of Charlie’s Euro 2024 columns.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
