Manchester United should consider appointing a 'less glamorous’ manager if they want to part ways with Erik ten Hoek, Ian Ladyman has insisted on Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast.
The Red Devils suffered another poor setback on Sunday afternoon as local rivals Manchester City ran out 3-0 winners thanks to two goals from Erling Holland and one from Phil Foden.
The manner of the defeat was particularly disappointing for Manchester United, who collapsed in the second half and looked at sea both physically and tactically.
Despite qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Carabao Cup, Den Haag’s side have struggled in domestic and European competitions so far this season and their poor form has prompted many to question whether the Dutchman is the right manager to push the club forward. .
Ladyman and former Premier League champion Chris Sutton discussed the Red Devils’ bitter defeat on Monday, speculating who would be a wise successor should United decide to part ways with Ten Hoag.
Sutton initially suggested that Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone would make a smart meeting at Old Trafford, but the Ladyman rejected the suggestion, offering a less 'glamorous’ solution.
I think Diego Simeone will be the best manager for Manchester United for a month. He’ll come in, win the first few games, absolutely be at the box office, and then he’ll fight everybody in the place and we’ll be back to square one,’ Ladyman said on the podcast.
My slightly less glamorous suggestion is Thomas Frank from Brentford. I can hear United fans going, „Don’t be ridiculous”, but why?
’Why would that be ridiculous? Why should (Roberto) De Serpi from Brighton be ridiculous? What is the problem with big clubs taking managers from smaller Premier League clubs? They don’t because they don’t find it attractive.’
Ladyman fears Potter’s tenure as Chelsea boss has alienated managers from smaller outfits at bigger clubs.
He added: 'Chelsea did it with (Graham) Potter and it didn’t work. Well, they think it didn’t work. If they hadn’t cut off Graham’s legs seven months later and lied to him about where the club was going, I’m sure Potter would have succeeded at Chelsea.
’I still believe in it and no one will stop me. However, he seems to have failed to make the case for that type of appointment over the years. I don’t think clubs do that.
’There is a snobbery in the Premier League. Everton are under pressure to sign Sean Dyche. They went against their own better judgment. They eventually did it because they thought they had no choice. Why should it be? Why is there snobbery?’
Sutton feels Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou is the best candidate to take over at Old Trafford, while Ladyman insists it would be a 'dream’ meeting.
Manchester United fell to eighth in the league after Sunday’s defeat, 11 points behind leaders Tottenham and outside the top four.
Meanwhile, Frank’s Brentford, without star striker Ivan Toney, beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon to move up to 13th in the Premier League table and within two points of the Red Devils.
Despite trailing 1-0 at half-time, United showed promise against the reigning Premier League champions, creating and missing a litany of golden chances in the first half.
Den Haag’s side collapsed after the break and struggled to deal with City’s dominance in midfield, conceding twice and losing composure in the closing stages with a series of tackles.
The manager’s replacements after the defeat came under significant criticism.
Sofyan Amrabat was dismissed at half-time, leaving United exposed in defensive midfield and late substitute Anthony, who spent most of the match frustrated in the dugout, was lucky to stay on the pitch after kicking City winger Jeremy Toku.
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