The next Manchester United manager odds reveal a potential second coming of a former Red Devils sharpshooter.
Here, we will look at the potential pros of United hiring the man in question.
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Next Manchester United manager odds – the frontrunners
Following Man Utd's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at the weekend, the next Manchester United manager odds have once again become a market of significant interest and movement. Erik Ten Hag is reportedly on the brink and a change could be made during the next international break.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is currently part of the backroom staff at Old Trafford, has emerged as the new favourite with some bookmakers to take over from his fellow Dutchman in the coming weeks.
The 48-year-old made over 200 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 150 goals in his prime during the early to mid-2000s, and such an affiliation with the club places the former Dutch forward high in the next Manchester United manager odds list*:
- Ruud van Nistelrooy – 9/4
- Gareth Southgate – 4/1
- Thomas Tuchel – 15/2
- Kieran McKenna – 12/1
- Graham Potter – 12/1
*Market-best prices available as of 30 September 2024
After leading the Three Lions to back-to-back Euro finals, the former England manager Gareth Southgate is van Nistelrooy’s biggest rival. An additional run to the 2018 semi-finals, where he experienced one of just 18 defeats in 102 games at the England helm, further bolsters his CV.
However, Southgate’s only previous Premier League managerial stint came at Middlesbrough between 2006 and 2009. This eventually ended with Boro’s relegation to the Championship and Southgate’s dismissal, leaving question marks over his ability to manage at Premier League level.
Why Ruud van Nistelrooy’s next Manchester United manager odds have shortened
United’s inconsistencies under Ten Hag have continued into the early stages of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. The Reds have already lost three times in the Premier League this season and their only wins have come against Fulham and Southampton.
It is a far cry from the success-drenched days of Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure, but with van Nistelrooy having first-hand experience of how United operated in those glory days, it is no surprise that his next Manchester United manager odds have shortened.
In addition, van Nistelrooy was assistant to Guus Hiddink with the Netherlands national team before coaching in PSV Eindhoven’s youth system.
Here, the 48-year-old climbed the ranks from under-18 to under-21 level and eventually took charge of the first team in July 2022. The former Dutch international was an instant success. In just one season in charge. Van Nistelrooy guided his side to Dutch Cup and Dutch Super Cup triumphs.
Will Erik Ten Hag be sacked soon?
Ten Hag seemingly saved his job following an FA Cup final win over Man City in May. But a club-worst finish of eighth in the Premier League last term means that he will be on borrowed time for the foreseeable future.
Currently, van Nistelrooy’s chances of becoming United manager hinge on Ten Hag’s next few games. A slow start to the 2024/25 season has done little to convince Sir Jim Ratcliffe that the Dutchman is the right man for the job and he is now the 4/6 favourite to the next PL manager to be sacked.
After their dismal defeat to Tottenham, large sections of the fanbase have now turned on Ten Hag too so a feel-good appointment of a former hero could at least flip the morale on its head for the time being, as it did when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed as caretaker boss in late 2018.
In December 2020 we sadly 
