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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was a relieved man at the full-time whistle on Saturday as his side came back from a goal down to defeat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Plenty of reports were suggesting that the Dutchman’s tenure could be cut short in case of a less than positive result against the Bees with Thomas Frank rumoured to be in contention to replace Ten Hag.
At half-time, the Dane must have been quite pleased as Ethan Pinnock’s header gave the visitors the lead. A fiery pep talk from the former Ajax coach saw the hosts emerge from the tunnel with a newfound zeal and they deserved all three points at the end of the day.
The attack purred at times while Matthijs de Ligt’s heroic display despite an injury will have pleased the Dutch manager at a time when numerous names keep getting linked with his post despite him rubbishing all these “fairytale” stories from the media.
Stuttgart manager in the running
German journalist Christian Falk even suggested on his Daily Briefing that VfB Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness was also in the running and he would be open to hearing INEOS’ proposal at the end of the season.
Falk even revealed that the Red Devils had spoken to the German in the summer but he had turned them down as he wanted to stay with Stuttgart who qualified for the Champions League this season.
Even Bayern Munich were turned down and Hoeness has no intention of quitting mid-season. He is not willing to speak to potential suitors this season. He is however open to hearing out United’s new co-owners should they approach him next summer.
“At the moment, Sebastian Hoeness is happy at Stuttgart. Bayern Munich, of course, knocked slightly on the door and it was the same at Manchester United; they knocked on his door and Hoeness said there was no chance of a move.
“He wanted to stay with Stuttgart another season and take them into the Champions League. He didn’t want to leave his team behind. Of course, they don’t quite know how this season will pan out this time.
Sebastian Hoeness willing to hear out INEOS proposal
“If Ten Hag is sacked during the campaign, I don’t think there’s a chance for Hoeness, but that could change next summer. I’m not sure if he’ll do it, but I think he’d at least sit at a table with United and hear out their offer.”
Under Hoeness, Stuttgart finished second in the league last season, their best showing in 17 years, and as a result qualified for Europe’s premier club competition.
This season has not been as smooth with Die Roten currently ninth in the Bundesliga, having lost 0-4 at the hands of the Bavarian giants on Saturday.
As for Ten Hag, he needs to ensure the team keep picking up wins or else INEOS might be forced to pull the plug if the possibility of a top four finish fade away.
Feature image Christian Kaspar-Bartke via Getty Images
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