ROY CAN SEE GARETH MOVE
ROY KEANE and Gary Neville have backed Gareth Southgate to take over from Erik ten Hag at Manchester United this summer.
England boss Southgate has emerged as the leading candidate to take over at United, should Ten Hag be sacked this summer after two seasons at Old Trafford.
New United investor Jim Ratcliffe, in charge of football operations, is understood to have made 53-year-old Southgate his first choice to lead the club into a new era.
Southgate has a close relationship with Dan Ashworth, United’s incoming director of football, who is currently on gardening leave from Newcastle, following their time working together at the FA.
Endorsed
Now former United skippers Keane and Neville have endorsed Southgate’s candidacy for the job, with both convinced he can be persuaded to leave the England role after Euro 2024.
“I could see that happening,” said Ireland legend Keane on the
Stick to Football podcast, with Sky Bet.
“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.
Connection
“And if they don’t, then maybe they’re thinking maybe you’ve run your race with him. He has a connection with Dan Ashworth, who he has worked with previously. Yeah, I’m not that surprised with it.”
Neville claimed he had never visualised his former England team-mate Southgate in charge of United but had now come around to the idea of him leading the Red Devils.
“I never saw Gareth Southgate as a Manchester United manager,” said Neville. “Psychologically, I never saw that. I can see it now Dan Ashworth has come in. I just think, what does Erik ten Hag need to do to stay as Manchester United manager?”