Football

ROY KEANE posted a brutal 14-word message after Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag on Monday.The Dutch gaffer was given his marching orders today following Sunday’s dismal defeat at West Ham, with Ruud Van Nistelrooy made interim boss.Roy Keane posted a brutal message after Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd exitThe Dutchman was fired on Monday after United’s defeat at West HamCredit: RexTen Hag had won just four matches all season before Sir Jim Ratcliffe sent him packing.And United now look set to land an immediate replacement in Ruben Amorim.It remains to be seen if a deal can be done in time for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Leicester.But that hasn’t stopped Keane from firing off a brutal message on social media.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Red Devils legend took to Instagram with a new post showing him staring into the camera on a rainy day.Keane showed off his trademark glare as he protected himself from the elements with a waterproof jacket.However, it was his 14-word caption that sent shivers down the spine.Keane said: “In good teams, coaches hold players accountable.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“In great teams, players hold players accountable.”Keane’s assessment of the situation at United delighted fans.’Something seriously wrong!’ Ex-Prem ref reacts to huge Man Utd call which saw Erik Ten Hag sackedUnited are in talks to make Ruben Amorim their next bossCredit: EPAOne said: “Announce Keane as United manager.”Another declared: “Best captain ever.”One noted: “Agreed, the players need to take responsibility too.”Another added: “What I’d give to have you in your prime back in our team.”Why NOBODY is the right man to replace Erik ten Hag at Man UtdSunSport’s DAVE KIDD says Erik ten Hag’s time at Man Utd is up… and explains what’s wrong with all the potential candidates to replace him.THIS is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Yet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would also have been a popular and gettable option – but England got in there first.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a ‘figurehead’ manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part. More

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY is set to take the helm at Manchester United following Erik ten Hag’s sacking.The legendary Red Devils striker was brought in during the summer as a part of Ten Hag’s backroom staff.Ruud van Nistelrooy will take over as interim Manchester United managerCredit: The TimesHe has now been in coaching for more than 10 yearsCredit: AlamyHe oversaw the club’s dismal start to the season as an assistant coach, with Man Utd winning just four of 13 games in all competitions.On Monday morning, it was confirmed Ten Hag had been dismissed.Van Nistelrooy will take interim charge of the team while the search for a permanent successor is ongoing.But what has happened so far in the 48-year-old’s coaching career to lead him to this point?READ MORE ON MAN UTDRetirement and first steps in coachingVan Nistelrooy retired from playing in 2012 having scored 384 goals in 662 games for club and country.He played for some of the biggest sides in world football including Man Utd and Real Madrid – and aimed to take that experience into coaching.He joined PSV in 2013 and began working with their U17s side, before he became the head coach of the reserve team three years later.During that time, he also spent a period as an assistant to Holland manager Guus Hiddink.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn 2018, Van Nistelrooy succeeded former team-mate Mark van Bommel as manager of PSV’s U19s.While holding that position, he was also recruited by Holland boss Ronald Koeman for the country’s Euro 2020 campaign – where he worked as assistant manager.Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy caught in heated conversation during Man Utd’s draw at Villa First high-profile job in managementIn March 2022, Van Nistelrooy replaced Roger Schmidt as manager of PSV’s first team.He narrowly missed out on the Eredivisie title to Ajax, finishing two points adrift.He then guided the club to trophy wins in the Johan Cruyff Shield and KNVB Cup in the 2022/23 campaign.But they again came up short in the Eredivise as Feyenoord claimed the title.Van Nistelrooy resigned with one game left of the league season after a falling out with staff members at PSV.Marcel van der Kraan, sports editor of Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, told BBC Sport: “There was a breaking-down in the relationship between him and the assistants.”He stuck to his principles.”It is also understood as many as six PSV players made their dissatisfaction towards Van Nistelrooy known to the board. Who could replace Ten Hag at Man Utd?ERIK TEN HAG has finally been put out of his Manchester United misery – but who will be the manager to lead them into the future?Ruud van NistelrooyThe Red Devils legend, 48, is no stranger to the pressures of Old Trafford.Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 games for Man Utd and helped them to the 2002-03 Premier League title.The striker also starred for another monster club, Real Madrid, as a player before going into coaching.The 70-cap ex-Holland international managed PSV’s youth team before landing the senior job for the 2022-23 season.Van Nistelrooy landed a coaching job under Ten Hag earlier this year and is said to have done a superb job working with the clubs strikers behind the scenes.And now he will have the chance to show what he can do in a live ‘interview’ of sorts.How long the club will give him is another matter.Gareth SouthgateThe former England boss, 54, has long been linked with the Man Utd job.The former Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender has gone on to enjoy great success as a manager – albeit without getting his hands on a major trophy.Southgate managed Middlesbrough between 2006 and 2009 before taking on the England Under-21s job between 2013 and 2016.The 57-cap former Three Lions international then took the senior national job, replacing Roy Hodgson.Southgate brought the nation together as he led England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, as well as the final of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.However, he left his role in the summer following the defeat to Spain and was replaced by Lee Carsley on an interim basis.Thomas Tuchel – another boss long linked with the Old Trafford job – will take over the reins in 2025.Southgate has been out of club management for 15 years and a portion of England fans were frustrated by what they deemed a defensive style.However, his ability to largely galvanise the fan-base and deal with the pressure of one of the biggest jobs in sport with real class would be a huge asset for United.Edin TerzicEarlier this month, SunSport revealed Edin Terzic is the shock name on United’s list to replace Ten Hag.German Terzic took Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last season before surprisingly quitting.He has many admirers at Old Trafford and it would he a smart but unexpected move to go for him if they sack under-fire Ten Hag.Terzic, 41, did his coaching badges in England, where he was friends with fellow United target Graham Potter, and then worked as Slaven Bilic’s No 2 at West Ham.He rose to the top in Germany during two spells at Dortmund before he walked away in June.Graham PotterThe English boss, 49, has been out of work since being axed by Chelsea in April 2023.Potter excited fans with his attacking approach at Brighton before he was poached by the Blues.However, he failed to lift Chelsea out of their funk and was given his marching orders.Potter’s fans include Manchester City mastermind Pep Guardiola.And there’s no doubt the ex-OstersundS FK and Swansea boss would get United playing on the front foot, something Old Trafford fans have long craved.Kieran McKennaCruelly denied a playing career due to injury, the former Tottenham youth prospect has excelled as a coach.McKenna, 38, worked as Under-18s coach at both Spurs and Man Utd before landing the top job at Ipswich Town.The young boss incredibly guided the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions, guiding them from League One back to the Premier League, ending the club’s 22-year absence.McKenna was quickly added to a host of clubs’ wish-lists, including Man Utd, according to reports.But Ipswich reacted swiftly to offer him a new, long-term contract.However, his side are yet to win any of their opening nine Premier League games, with four wins and five defeats.McKenna has Ipswich playing exciting, expansive football – something Man Utd fans crave.The big question now is whether McKenna opts to jump ship or stay loyal.Ruben Amorim, Xavi and Thomas Frank are also three names very much believed to be in the running.Gap yearVan Nistelrooy had a number of managerial offers on the table after leaving PSV.Instead, he passed up those opportunities and took a gap year in an attempt to develop his coaching knowledge.He travelled to Real Madrid, Boca Juniors and River Plate to see how various clubs work.Van der Kraan added: “He’s not a proud man in that way, he’s not arrogant. He wanted to bounce his own ideas off others.”On his dream football trip, he went to all the big games. He spoke to Martin Demichelis, the River Plate manager, for hours and hours about coaching.”He also went to experience the football culture. He told me he walked through La Boca in Buenos Aires and saw ‘The eternity of Maradona’ painted on the walls in tribute to the Argentina legend, who died in 2020. He said: ‘You need to win the culture of an area.'”At Man Utd, it’s probably more vital than at any other club in England that you know the culture of the club, of the area, and Ruud does.”Style of playHe returned to coaching in the summer as Ten Hag’s assistant but is now being asked to step up to the top job after just a few months.Van Nistelrooy’s style of play is described as “realistic”, not “super attacking” but with a degree of “venom”.As PSV boss, his side scored 126 goals and conceded 60 in 51 games.READ MORE SUN STORIESMan Utd fans will be given their first insight into his style when they host Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.His opening Premier League game in charge will come at Old Trafford on Sunday when they face Chelsea. More

MANCHESTER UNITED are closing in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim to become their new manager.The Athletic claims talks have intensified on Monday evening, just hours after United brutally sacked Erik ten Hag.Manchester United are nearing a deal to make Ruben Amorim their new bossCredit: GettyUnited sacked Erik ten Hag on MondayCredit: RexAnd it’s believed Amorim has already verbally agreed to take charge at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils appearing to beat rivals Man City to his signature.Ten Hag was given his marching orders after Sunday’s dismal defeat at West Ham.Ruud van Nistelrooy has been put in charge as interim United boss ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Leicester.But he may not get a go against Chelsea in the league next Sunday, with Sporting boss Amorim firmly in Ineos’ sights.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt’s reckoned Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co are deep in talks with the tactician, who has won two titles in the Portuguese capital.And Amorim has already given the green light to a stunning deal which could yet see him in charge for Wednesday’s game against Leicester.Former midfielder Amorim, 39, is regarded as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches.He had been tipped as Pep Guardiola’s potential replacement at Man City should the Spaniard leave next summer.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe champs raided Sporting earlier this month for footy chief Hugo Viana, who starts his new role in 2025.And many saw it as an indication that Amorim had been selected by City to eventually take charge following Guardiola’s exit.Man Utd ratings vs West Ham: Bruno Fernandes causes endless problems but Marcus Rashford entirely absentRuben Amorim’s career statsPlaying career:Belenenses, 2003-2008: 106 games, 5 goalsBenfica, 2008-2015: 154 games, 6 goalsBraga (loan), 2011-2013: 46 games, 5 goalsAl-Wakrah (loan), 2015-2016: 14 games, 2 goalsPortugal, 2010-2014: 14 games, 0 goalsTrophies: Primeira Liga x3, Portuguese Cup, Portuguese League Cup x5, Portuguese Super Cup (Benfica); Portuguese League Cup (Braga)Managerial careerCasa Pia, July 2018-Jan 2019: P4 W3 D0 L1Braga B, Sept 2019-Dec 2019: P11 W8 D2 L1Braga, Dec 2019-March 2020: P13 W10 D1 L2Sporting, March 2020-Present: P237 W170 D34 L33Trophies: Portuguese League Cup (Braga); Primeira Liga x2, Portuguese League Cup x2, Portuguese Super Cup (Sporting)It’s not the first English job Amorim has been linked with, as SunSport revealed he was targeted by Chelsea in 2023 before Mauricio Pochettino took charge.Amorim was then tipped as a potential successor to Jurgen Klopp when the German announced he would be quitting Liverpool earlier this year.And in April, Amorim sensationally jetted to London for talks with West Ham before calling their contact “a mistake.”Sporting would be reluctant to see the ace leave, with Amorim transforming their fortunes on the pitch following his arrival in 2020.But United are willing to pay £8m to prise him from his contract in Portugal and bring him to Old Trafford to spearhead Ratcliffe’s revolution.Speaking at a press conference earlier today, Amorim was asked by local media whether he would be interested in taking the Red Devils job. Amorim gave a coy answer, saying: “I was already expecting this question and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment. I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.”Sporting play Nacional in the Portuguese Cup tomorrow night and it remains to be seen whether Amorim is on the sideline for the clash.The former Benfica star and Portugal international has favoured a 3-4-3 system during his time at Sporting, with his key men including Ivorian centre-back Ousmane Diomande, Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita and Portuguese forward Pedro Goncalves.But Amorim’s main star is undoubtedly Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has scored 56 goals in 63 games following a move from Championship Coventry City last year.  READ MORE SUN STORIESSporting cruised to last season’s title with just two defeats all season while scoring 96 goals in the process.And they currently lead the race in the new campaign with nine wins from nine, while also netting 30 goals and conceding just two in the process.  Why NOBODY is the right man to replace Erik ten Hag at Man UtdSunSport’s DAVE KIDD explains what’s wrong with all the potential candidates to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.THIS is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Yet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would also have been a popular and gettable option – but England got in there first.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a ‘figurehead’ manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part. More