Manchester United’s current manager, Erik ten Hag, has been under increasing scrutiny as a result of the team’s poor performance this season. With the Red Devils presently fifth in the Premier League and a dismal run in the Champions League, many have indicated that former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter could be a potential successor. Former Liverpool player Steve McManaman, on the other hand, has another suggestion.
Following Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United at the weekend, McManaman has recommended that Manchester United should consider former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso for the post instead of Potter. In an interview with Betfred, McManaman questioned why Manchester United would hire Potter, a manager who hasn’t worked in eight months and had a poor time at Chelsea. Instead, he suggested that Alonso, who is presently leading Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga, be considered.
According to McManaman, Alonso’s recent success with Bayer Leverkusen makes him a more ideal candidate for one of football’s most renowned managerial positions. He also questioned Erik ten Hag’s departure from Manchester United and questioned whether Graham Potter would even be considered for such a high-profile position.
“Why not pick a manager that has just won the league somewhere?” McManaman explained. “Why not sign Xabi Alonso, who is leading the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen?” Why hire a manager who has been out of job for eight months and had a disastrous stint at Chelsea? I’m not suggesting this is a failure on Graham Potter’s part.
“I thought Chelsea mistreated Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, but I’d be surprised if the latter was on Manchester United’s shortlist.” I doubt Erik ten Hag will quit Manchester United, but I’d be astonished if Graham was on the shortlist for one of the most important roles in world football.”
This season, Alonso has received widespread acclaim for his work with Bayer Leverkusen. His leadership has helped the German squad to a four-point lead in the Bundesliga and a place in the Europa League knockout stages. There is a significant likelihood that Alonso will be considered to succeed Jürgen Klopp as Liverpool manager one day.
Alonso currently has two and a half years left on his contract with Leverkusen, which he extended in August. However, Leverkusen has agreed that if one of Alonso’s former teams (Real Madrid, Liverpool, or Bayern Munich) came in for him, he would be permitted to leave.