MANCHESTER UNITED have a whopping NINE alternatives on their managerial wishlist after publicly being snubbed by Gareth Southgate, it’s been claimed.
New Red Devils part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly made the Three Lions boss his No.1 choice to replace current manager Erik ten Hag.
But Southgate – whose current contract with England expires in December – has publicly distanced himself from the job.
Ratcliffe, however, hasn’t hedged all his bets on installing the former Middlesborough gaffer as the new man in the Old Trafford dugout next season.
That’s according to ESPN, who claim the new United brass have a further NINE names on their managerial candidates’ list.
That list includes former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who SunSport revealed last year is in contention to succeed Ten Hag.
Potter’s successor as Brighton Roberto De Zerbi is also said to be on the list, as well as Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
Thomas Tuchel – who is set to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season – is rumoured to be on the shortlist, as is Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann.
Out-of-work duo Julen Lopetegui and Zinedine Zidane, who both managed Real Madrid, are also on the list, which also includes Sporting Lisbon chief Ruben Amorim.
ESPN also claim Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou could be targeted if United continue their “aggressive recruitment policy”.
Ratcliffe has already poached Omar Berrada from Manchester City and appointed him the club’s new CEO.
And he’s made a bold approach to Newcastle about the availability of Dan Ashworth, whom he wants to appoint as the club’s sporting director -Sun.