How Manchester United may battle for the 44-year-old manager following Klopp’s departure from Liverpool
If Manchester United decides to part ways with Erik ten Hag at the conclusion of the current campaign, Sir Dave Brailsford’s renowned ability to persuade might have to be relearned.
The shocking exit of Jurgen Klopp from the Liverpool bench on Friday morning may have fans of Manchester United hoping that their north-west neighbors will go through a period of inactivity similar to what happened to the Red Devils themselves a decade ago when Sir Alex Ferguson retired. However, it also creates the possibility of a fight between the two former rivals for one of the best young coaches in European football.
According to TEAMtalk, INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has not been afraid to make big decisions and big appointments since taking a minority stake in Man United on Christmas Eve, is a ‘huge fan’ of one Roberto de Zerbi.
Jurgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool
HITC Football understands that the Brighton and Hove Albion boss has been discussed at Anfield too, and their admiration for the Italian with the revolutionary tactics and the pop-punk haircut is likely to come to the fore after Klopp released a statement which sent English football into meltdown.
“I’ve got the answer, so I’m not worried about (Klopp leaving),” former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told talkSPORT in September, albeit when the prospect of the German’s departure still felt rather fanciful.
“I think De Zerbi is perfect. He’ll be ready (to take over). I think he plays great football. He looks a strong character. He’s learning his trade in this league with Brighton and doing it superbly well.
“I don’t see a better candidate. Things change in football really quickly. So flavour of the month might be someone else this time next year. But I think (De Zerbi) is the real deal.”
De Zerbi, who once left Pep Guardiola blowing kisses in his direction after captivating Serie A with Sassuolo, certainly appears to possess the character, the force of personality and the razor-sharp tactical mind to avoid the sort of stumbling blocks which tripped up David Moyes and Roy Hodgson, tasked with moving up the food chain to one of English football’s bonafide giants.
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“There is something about him,” Murphy added. “After meeting him as well, (I can say) he’s got real gravitas. A real presence. And I love the way his teams play.”
Brailsford, Ratcliffe’s right-hand man, presumably played a major role in the hiring of Omar Berrada. He appears to be leading the pursuit of Newcastle director Dan Ashworth.
“He can be very persuasive,” a source told iNews recently. “Dave will want his dream appointment. And that is Ashworth, who he knows very well.
“Man United and Dave together might be hard to turn down.”
Liverpool may be hoping, should the Red Devils find themselves going for De Zerbi in the summer, that Brailsford doesn’t always get what he wants.