Sir Alex Ferguson recommends Massimiliano Allegri to Manchester United as Erik ten Hag replacement

3 hours ago 1

Sir Alex Ferguson has personally endorsed Massimiliano Allegri as his ideal candidate to take charge of Manchester United should Erik ten Hag be relieved of his duties.

Ten Hag received the backing of United bosses after steering the club to a shock FA Cup victory over Manchester City at the end of last season, but a woeful start to the new campaign has seen the Dutchman come under intense pressure once again.

It is no secret that United’s hierarchy spoke with a number of high-profile managers at the start of the summer, including Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel, before eventually deciding to keep faith with Ten Hag.

But Sunday’s 3-0 capitulation at home to Tottenham in the Premier League has only amplified calls for Ten Hag to be dismissed and the latest reports indicate that the 54-year-old has two games to save his job.

The first of those challenges comes away to Porto in the Europa League on Thursday night, with a daunting trip to Aston Villa coming just three days later in the Premier League.

According to Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Red Devils are eyeing Simone Inzaghi as a potential ‘stop-gap solution’ for the hot seat, with United chiefs scouring the market for possible successors to Ten Hag.

However, it’s claimed United legend Ferguson – the the longest serving and most decorated manager in the club’s history – has recommended Allegri as his preferred replacement for Ten Hag at the Theatre of Dreams.

Allgeri, 57, is currently a free agent after being dismissed by Juventus following an explosive touchline altercation with the club’s sporting director, Cristiano Giuntoli, back in May.

The report states that former Chelsea, PSG and Bayern Munich manager Tuchel is Allegri’s ‘most fearsome competitor’ for the Old Trafford job in the long-term.

Speaking in July, Allegri’s agent, Giovanni Branchini, said the hotheaded former Juve head coach was prepared to bide his time for ‘an important job’ to arise.

‘Allegri is looking for an interesting project to coach with his characteristics, his beliefs that are clear to everyone,’ Branchini told to Italian outlet Calciomercato.

‘I think he has shown something in these years that he loves the job and is willing to wait for an important project.

Branchini accused Allegri’s critics of ‘insulting’ the manager in order to ‘make a name for themselves’ on the back of his dismissal in Turin.

‘Many people have made a name for themselves criticising Allegri,’ he added.

‘There are people of average calibre who have found fame in insulting and criticising him that perhaps they wouldn’t have found otherwise.’

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