Man Utd chief Ratcliffe slammed for ‘out of order’ Southgate links amid Arteta smoke and mirrors
Ian Wright thinks Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is “out of order” for lining up Gareth Southgate as the club’s new manager.
Ten Hag is under significant pressure to keep his job having struggled in his second season at Old Trafford, but earned plaudits after United’s dramatic FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool.
Ratcliffe “out of order”
And Wright thinks the timing of a report claiming Southgate is Ratcliffe’s ‘number one choice’ to replace Ten Hag is ‘off-key’ on the back of that victory.
The INEOS owner is said to be ‘increasingly confident’ of luring Southgate, who is the ‘overwhelming choice’ of ‘United’s former greats’ and ‘has the backing of some of United’s current players’.
Wright told the Stick to Football podcast that he believes Ratcliffe should have waited to see what Ten Hag achieves in the rest of the season before approaching potential replacements.
He said: “When you look at Manchester United’s game against Liverpool in the FA Cup, so they’ve got a chance to maybe win the FA Cup, they’re going to have to go some to get into the top four. But for them to be talking about it now – it’s a bit off-key, bringing up Gareth now like that. But the fact is, is that if he doesn’t win the FA Cup, Ten Hag, and he doesn’t get into the top four, then you can probably have that conversation. But he looks like he might do something. Whatever we think he might do in the future, he might do something.
Related video: Liverpool's Klopp reacts to last minute defeat to Man Utd (Daily Mail)
it was really tough for us with all the
“You see Gareth and yeah, stand-up guy, you can see how it could be, but shouldn’t be talking about him now, it’s out of order. I can’t even get into the realms of the pressure he is probably under. I’m thinking to myself as well, say things about the structure, saying we are not seeing this, saying players haven’t improved, whatever it is. But I can’t get into the realms of what pressure this man is under. For me, the game I watched against Liverpool the other day just felt like, ‘just go, I’m in, just go’ – it’s like he’s at the end of his tether. This man is someone that needs something to happen.”
Arteta admiration all smoke and mirrors
Wright also believes Ratcliffe is giving mixed messages having spoken of his admiration for the patience afforded to Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, though admits Southgate would “look the part standing on the line for Manchester United.”
He added: “You know what’s strange about it, is when you listen to Sir Jim Ratcliffe talk, how he admires Arsenal’s patience with Mikel Arteta, which obviously the FA Cup gave him even more time. It gave me the impression that Sir Jim is going to give Erik ten Hag time. It feels like that because if you are talking about Arteta and patience, and he’s quite admirable about the way he is speaking about it.
“I see Gareth Southgate standing on the line and the way he will be dressed, and his demeanour. I could see him; he’s got the stature to be Manchester United manager. The way he is. And we’re not talking about, I’m not being disrespectful, but in a kind of way I am but, his massive, big polo-necks, and he doesn’t look quite dressed, he looks like he’s got the stature for Manchester United with Erik ten Hag, sometimes you feel that. But for Gareth, talking about someone who looks the part, he’ll probably look the part standing on the line for Manchester United.”
READ MORE: Five reasons Gareth Southgate would *actually* be good for Manchester United
England newbie says Scotland switch was ‘never a thought’ amid ‘tunnel vision since I was five’
Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon says he has had “tunnel vision” to play for England since the age of five and never considering switching international allegiance to Scotland.
The 23-year-old has earned his first senior call-up for the upcoming Wembley friendly double-header against Brazil and Belgium, potentially breaking into Gareth Southgate’s squad just in time for Euro 2024.
Anthony Gordon always wanted England over Scotland
Gordon helped England to glory at the 2023 European Under-21 Championship, where he was also named as player of the tournament.
He remains available to both the Republic of Ireland and Scotland through his heritage, with the latter seemingly a possible option to get into the senior international scene and secure a spot at the Euros this summer.
Now, though, that opportunity comes with England and, for the former Everton winger, that was the only outcome he was looking for.
“It was never a thought for me,” he said when asked if he had considered it.
“That’s no disrespect to Scotland, that’s all. I’ve been tunnel-visioned on playing for England since I was five or six years old. Nothing could ever shake that off.
“I could never forgive myself if I hadn’t got to this point. Like I said, it is just a dream I’ve had from so young so nothing else has ever entered my mind at any time.”
Related video: Anthony Gordon says choosing Scotland over England was ‘never a thought’ (Dailymotion)
READ MORE: Gordon finally called up as one of Newcastle quartet England must avoid losing to other nations
Born in Liverpool, Gordon’s passion for one day wanting to wear the Three Lions of England stems from local boys he looked up to as a youngster.
“I think I’ve always just wanted to be at the very top of football,” he said.
“I think that’s every kid’s dream who likes football. I think as a young English kid, that is the pinnacle to play for your country so it is no extra motivation or a great story but just that.
“For me, it was always (Wayne) Rooney and (Steven) Gerrard because they were from similar areas.
“I always used to run around the garden from the youngest age I can remember and try and recreate goals, create my own types of goals. I looked up to them massively.”
Despite both captaining their country, neither Rooney nor Gerrard ever won international silverware – Gordon and the current crop are aiming to do just that and he believes tapping into the recent Under-21 success can only help.
“Most definitely because the standard of the Under-21s is so high,” he said.
“Our team was a really, really good team. A lot of them played Premier League week in, week out at some big clubs.
“Being in those environments, wanting to showcase what you can do, prepares you for this environment and I’m very thankful for all the experiences I had with the youth teams.”
Gordon: I’ve been working hard
Gordon will be hoping to take the step up to senior football in his stride and admits it was added motivation when Southgate had spoken just how close he had come to picking the Newcastle man in previous squads.
“(It was) very reassuring – I was performing well,” he added.
“I was working hard, the season was going well for me. Just to hear him say that I was in the thoughts and close.
“It gave me just a little boost to carry on knowing I’m not too far away and in the games, made me run just that little bit harder.”
READ NEXT: Newcastle have a gem in Gordon and we have never been so wrong about a player
Liverpool boost as ex-Chelsea boss Bayern Munich ‘priority’ ahead of Xabi Alonso
Liverpool have been handed a boost in their bid to secure Xabi Alonso as their next manager as rivals Bayern Munich turn their attention to Antonio Conte.
Bayern, like Liverpool, were thought to be keen on landing Alonso to replace Thomas Tuchel, who’s leaving the club at the end of the season, but competition for the Bayer Leverkusen boss, along with the significant compensation they would have to pay to secure his signature has led the German giants in a different direction.
Conte ‘the first name’ for Bayern
Repubblica claim Bayern are chasing former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Conte as their ‘first choice’ to replace Tuchel.
The ‘negotiation remains difficult’ as is the case with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, the report claims, but the Italian ‘is the first name on the list’ of the German club.
It’s further claimed that their ‘priority’ was ‘contacted a few months ago’ over the position, but the report doesn’t go into whether Conte would be interested in taking on the role.
He’s been out of work since being sacked by Tottenham in March 2023 following his rant at chairman Daniel Levy and the club’s trophy record.
A Harry Kane reunion
A move to Bayern Munich would see him reunite with striker Harry Kane, who insisted he enjoyed working under the Italian in his time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After Conte’s departure, Kane said: “Obviously I wish Antonio all the best. I had a great relationship with him and it was just unfortunate that for one reason or another, it didn’t quite work.
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“I wish him luck in his next adventure and in the meantime we’ll continue to fight with Cristian, Ryan [Mason, acting assistant head coach] and the staff and try and achieve what we set out to.”
Bayern setting their sights on Conte clears the path for Liverpool to land Alonso, who remains the favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
New sporting director Richard Hughes is the man tasked with securing Liverpool a new manager, but it’s not yet clear whether Alonso is keen on a move to the Reds or would prefer to stay at Leverkusen, who are on course for an historic treble this season.
Kobbie Mainoo ‘lucky’ to get England call as Keane puts him ‘on par’ with pair of Man Utd legends
Roy Keane believes Kobbie Mainoo is “lucky” to have been called up by England as the Manchester United legend compared him to a pair of his former teammates.
Mainoo received a late call-up by Gareth Southgate on the back of his display in United’s dramatic FA Cup win over Liverpool, having been snubbed from the initial squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
Good timing for Mainoo
The 18-year-old has quickly become an important cog in Erik ten Hag’s United side this term, and Keane reckons he’s timed his ascent well.
He told the Stick to Football podcast: “The timing could be right, he’s lucky [Mainoo] in terms of the timing. Because obviously Kalvin Phillips is having a difficult time, Jordan Henderson is getting a bit older.
“So maybe that timing, and the best thing is when you get a player into your camp as you know in international football, ok he’s done well at Manchester United, but to look at him closely, with the other international players, we’ve all done it. Like when Wayne Rooney came through, and when you get to see him up close you go, ‘I like what I see.’ And it could happen!”
More Butt than Scholes
Mainoo has been compared to United legend Paul Scholes, but Keane reckons he’s more similar to Nicky Butt, though claims the teenager is “on par” with the pair of them after his impressive start at Old Trafford.
“I’d say that Kobbie Mainoo compares more to Nicky Butt than Paul Scholes, but that’s because Scholes played further forward when he first joined Manchester United.
Related video: Pep Guardiola takes a jibe at rivals Manchester United (Daily Mail)
We want to be there.
“What makes these young players successful is their personalities and their temperament, so I would put Mainoo on par with Butt and Scholes in their first three months at the club.
“It’s all about how players settle into the first team and how they cope with the challenges, playing at Old Trafford, but from what I’ve seen, Mainoo looks great, but he’s got lots to learn in that position.”
Fellow pundit Ian Wright reckons Mainoo is “exactly what Gareth needs” in his England team.
Wright said: “Pleased that he got the call up [Kobbie Mainoo] because I think coming into this Manchester United side, it feels very chaotic when you look at the midfield, it’s kind of all over the place. But when you look at him, if you can get him stabilised, whether he’s going to do eight or six, and he’s got them players around him, and I’m not saying better players. I see him as a number eight. Exactly what Gareth needs.
“You look at him in respects to what he can do. You look at Declan Rice, what he can do, and you look at Jude Bellingham, just them three, let’s say. Just to say what each of them can do, Bellingham’s the number ten, if you’re saying Rice is number eight or Kobbie at number six, you could even change it where Kobbie is six. If Declan drops in the six, you could have Kobbie in the eight.”
READ MORE: Man Utd starlet Mainoo can follow England staple at Euro 2024 after Southgate sees the light
Roy Keane has his say on Gareth Southgate becoming the next Man Utd manager
Gareth Southgate landing the Manchester United job is something Roy Keane "could see happening".
The England boss has emerged as a leading candidate to take over at Old Trafford if they do opt for a change in the dugout with question marks still hanging over Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman's future is likely to rest on whether United land a spot in the Champions League and if they win another trophy.
If he fails in both departments then those at the Red Devils could move for Southgate, whose stock has rose throughout his time at England. He's become only the second man to lead England to the final of a major tournament and has handled the growth of the squad impressively.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to hire Dan Ashworth in a senior role with the ex-Newcastle and Brighton chief previously working at England with Southgate, meaning the pair have a previous relationship to begin with.
Keane said on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet : “I could see that happening [Gareth Southgate being the next Manchester United manager]. Well, obviously everyone’s thinking he’s probably going to be with England this summer if he has a good Championship, thinking if they could win it. And if they don’t, then maybe they’re thinking maybe you’ve ran your race with him. His connection with Dan Ashworth, who he has worked with previously. Yeah, I’m not that surprised with it.”
Related video: 'I have not been at my best' - Fernandes admits he has struggled at Man Utd this season (SNTV)
The bulk of Southgate's managerial career has come in international football with question marks over his ability to excel in the club game. Following retirement he immediately took charge of Middlesbrough, but took them down to the Championship.
Southgate has confessed previously he would like to return to club management to rewrite that narrative and prove he can cut it. A chance could yet arise in Manchester, where the 53-year-old knows some of the core players, and Ian Wright believes he has the presence to stand on the Old Trafford touchline.
Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England, interacts with Harry Maguire
© Eddie Keogh/The FA via Getty Images
“I see Gareth Southgate standing on the line and the way he will be dressed, and his demeanour," he said. "I could see him; he’s got the stature to be Manchester United manager. The way he is.
"And we’re not talking about, I’m not being disrespectful, but in a kind of way I am but, his massive, big polo-necks, and he doesn’t look quite dressed, he looks like he’s got the stature for Manchester United with Erik ten Hag, sometimes you feel that. But for Gareth, talking about someone who looks the part, he’ll probably look the part standing on the line for Manchester United.”
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