Manchester United wish to substitute Erik ten Hag with an Italian supervisor, and Roberto de Zerbi isn’t the one candidate.
All through this season, Ten Hag has been topic to elevated scrutiny from Pink Devils’ supporters. After tumbling out of the Champions League group stage, he has been unable to take care of tempo with prime Premier League sides.
Manchester United, after an honest 2022/23 season, ought to have been among the many prime contenders this time round. Nonetheless, they’ve solely the FA Cup to take care of for a serious prize.
Thus, the Pink Devils followers have gotten impatient with the supervisor after greater than 18 months in cost. Now, with a need to start a brand new period, Sir James Ratcliffe will seemingly fireplace Ten Hag in the summertime.
Ratcliffe and his INEOS firm are reportedly contemplating different prospects for taking on teaching duties. Consequently, Bologna supervisor, Thiago Motta has been instructed as a possible substitute to the Dutchman at Manchester United.
Inside talks at Previous Trafford
There are few younger coaches on a worldwide scale with the identical degree of respect as Thiago Motta. Whereas he spent his adolescence in Brazil, he spent most of his skilled profession taking part in as a pointy and astute midfielder in Europe.
The participant, who was born in Brazil however represented Italy, had spells with Barcelona, PSG, Inter, Atletico Madrid, and Genoa. The previous Italian nationwide workforce participant took over PSG’s under-19 squad in 2018 after hanging up his boots.
The 41-year-old has coached Italian groups, however to this point simply Bologna, Genoa, and Spezia. Throughout his time at Bologna, Motta’s price has skyrocketed as properly. Ratcliffe and the United board have reportedly mentioned the Italian internally, per TEAMtalk.
This seemingly consists of incoming CEO Omar Berrada, Jean-Claude Blanc, and Sir Dave Brailsford; nevertheless, Berrada will be unable to start out working till he finishes his gardening go away.
What can Thiago Motta convey to Manchester United?
Motta gained the Champions League with Barcelona and Inter whereas working below Jose Mourinho. Nonetheless, he’s extra like Pep Guardiola than the frank Portuguese coach.
His success with Bologna gives the look that he can win with an amazing workforce. His squad by no means thinks they don’t seem to be adequate, play like clockwork, and aren’t scared to start out from the again. Most significantly, they don’t have the identical inferiority mentality as the opposite Italian groups.
Though his type of play differs from that which outlined his prime at Barcelona, it’s undeniably a really European one, emphasizing pace, verticality, and concrete. His 4-1-4-1 formation is an excellent tactical transfer that appears like an accordion with extra air inside, smashing groups like a strain machine.
Due to Motta’s skill to forge its personal technical and character id, Bologna has produced performances that greater than justify a Champions League berth. His outdated membership Barca can also be preserving tabs on the younger strategist after Xavi determined to go away after the continuing season.
PHOTOS: IMAGO
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