ERIK TEN HAG appears to have avoided the chopping block at Manchester United, at least for now.
A SEVEN-HOUR meeting with club chiefs on Tuesday came to an end with no movement on the future of the United boss despite the intense pressure and whirlwind speculation surrounding him.
However, the pursuit of other possible targets took a twist on Friday after it was reported that Thomas Tuchel was in talks for the England job.
Tuchel, 51, has been heavily linked with replacing Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
But according to Bild, he could now replace Gareth Southgate as the Three Lions next permanent head coach.
Southgate himself played down his links to the Red Devils’ job by saying he would be taking a full year out of work.
And that has left the pool of potential successors to Ten Hag even more drained than it was in the summer.
SunSport have looked at six options who could still be considered if Ten Hag’s time at United does ultimately come to a mid-season end.
Former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter has been without a job since he was sacked by the Blues, but was known for his fluid brand of football and development of young players at the Seagulls, aspects United want to champion.
However, he directly addressed the speculation appearing on Sky Sports last month, saying: “I am the only coach in world football to be linked with Stoke City and Napoli in the same week. I have had lots of conversations with lots of people and I think out of respect to those people it’s best those are kept private.”
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A coach at Man Utd during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s time in charge, Kieran McKenna made his first move into management with Ipswich and has impressed ever since by getting them promoted to the top flight.
He was consequently linked with a move to another club in the summer, but snubbed interest by signing a new contract. There are concerns whether he would be ready to take on the mammoth Man Utd job anyway.
The Inter Milan manager, Simone Inzaghi, is reported to have already rejected an approach from Man Utd.
He was viewed as an ideal candidate given his experience at the top level and previous success, leading the Italians to the Serie A title, two Coppa Italias and a Champions League final.
Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim has caught the eye of many of Europes top sides as a potential new boss.
Fresh reports have linked him with a move to Old Trafford should Ten Hag leave, with his Portuguese connections set to do wonders for the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot.
Thomas Frank has long been praised for how well he has done with Brentford, in terms of buying into their recruitment plan and getting the best out of players on the pitch.
Indeed, Pep Guardiola said it was only a “question of time” before he lands a job at one of European football’s powerhouses.
Like Inzhagi and Potter on this list, Ruud van Nistelrooy seems to have squashed rumours about taking over the Man Utd job, with reports suggesting he does not want to betray Ten Hag.
However, in the event Ten Hag is let go, Van Nistelrooy is likely to be offered the job at least on an interim basis. He impressed as a manager for PSV.
DEAR DEIDRE: MY sister’s boyfriend seduced me and I’m completely smitten.
We’ve been hooking up for sex at least twice a week and our next “date” is all that I am able to think about.
I was hoping they would split up and in time he and I would be able to go public with our relationship — but my sister just announced she’s pregnant.
She’s so excited, and boasting about her pregnancy to anyone who will listen — but meanwhile I feel nothing but fury.
Her boyfriend had even told me he wished we had got together first.
I’m 27, my sister and her boyfriend are both 29.
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I met him first, when I was working for a high-street fashion store. He caught my eye and I went home raving to my sister that I’d met the love of my life.
Still, when we bumped into him on a night out, she acted like she couldn’t remember that I liked him.
She was all over him and they kissed right in front of me. I was so miffed but she simply dismissed me, saying they have unstoppable chemistry.
They started dating and it was nauseating seeing them constantly entwined on the sofa.
Secretly, I was delighted when they started bickering about the amount of time they did or did not spend together.
My sister started to talk about dumping him, as she was so fed up.
That’s when I ran into him in the garage one day and got the sense he was flirting with me.
That afternoon he started to message me and our exchanges quickly became intense.
I knew it was wrong when I accepted his invitation for a drink at his flat, but this is a man I’d lusted after for over two years.
I gave in and it was amazing. We’ve had four amazing months together and now my sister has ruined it all.
Since her big announcement, he’s started to distance himself.
I can’t think straight and feel like such a fool.
MORE FROM DEAR DEIDRE
DEIDRE SAYS: You are not thinking straight.
This man is set to be the father of your sister’s child, your niece or nephew, so please put an end to your affair or you risk causing lasting damage within your family.
This has gone beyond the standard sibling rivalry and it’s time to draw a line under this.
It doesn’t matter “who fancied him first”, he was in a relationship with your sister so you shouldn’t have gone anywhere near him.
Ask yourself, do you really want to be with a man who is prepared to play both of you off each other?
My support pack Your Lover Not Free will help you see this fling for what it is.
TOWIE star Junaid Ahmed has admitted he is “really loved up” with Joe Blackman as the pair yet off holiday.
Fans of the show were left gobsmacked when they started dating – just days after Joe’s split from Harry Derbidge.
But despite speculation they wouldn’t last, the pair seem happier than ever.
Speaking to The Sun last week, Junaid said: “We’re really good. Really really happy. Really loved up.”
He added: We’re in a really good space. Happy. We’ll see how things go. Let’s see what happens.”
But he admitted he is yet to speak to Harry, his former best friend, about the betrayal.
“No I havent spoken to him and I genuinely wish him the best,” he told us.
“I think that friendship is done. I wish him the best and I hope that he is ok. I send him my love and I hope that he is ok. “
Harry was left completely heartbroken and blindsided by their budding romance, which has played out on screen.
This weekend Joe and Junaid have jetted off on their first proper holiday together – to Ibiza.
The pair have shared numerous snaps as they headed to the party isle, in a move that is likely to upset Harry even further.
During last week’s Towie Harry’s furious cousin Amy Childs was seen confronting Junaid and Joe.
She told Junaid: “I really hope you two get married, but I know for a fact in two weeks time you’ll ring me and say ‘Amy look what he’s done to Harry and now look what he’s done to you,’ so good luck to you.”
Amy was joined by her fiancé Billy Delbosq, who also backed Harry, as he called Junaid and Joe’s romance “fake.”
He said: “Personally I think he’s going to drop you out, and whatever this is that’s going on it’s as fake as a handbag down Dagenham market.”
As they turned to leave, Amy turned back and said: “Yeah you’re snakes, hun.”
ENGLAND could be set for a new look team should Thomas Tuchel be appointed as manager.
The German is reportedly in negotiations with the FA over the role vacated by Gareth Southgate earlier this year.
The Three Lions are currently under the charge of interim boss Lee Carsley, who has won two of his three games.
Last time out, though, England was uninspiring as they were humbled by Greece 2-1 at Wembley.
Carsley experimented with his team due to Harry Kane‘s absence but could not get a tune out of his attacking line-up.
Tuchel, however, could opt for a very different style to the interim boss should he be appointed.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss usually uses a 3-4-3 formation, which could provide an opportunity for one forgotten star.
Mason Mount has not been involved in the England set-up since the World Cup in 2022.
However, he enjoyed his most successful spell under Tuchel while the pair were at Stamford Bridge.
While playing under Tuchel, Mount scored 19 goals in 87 appearances in all competitions and won the Champions League in 2021.
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Should Tuchel land the England job, then he could get the best out of Mount for the national team.
However, the midfielder would need to bounce back and improve his form at Manchester United, having missed a lot of football due to injury since joining the club.
Mount’s reintroduction could be the first of former England players to get another crack at the whip on the international stage.
Although if Mount returns then it could be in the place of Phil Foden or Cole Palmer.
Tuchel could also offer lifelines to other previously capped players such as Ben Chilwell, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Eric Dier.
Luke Shaw is considered the nation’s best left-back, but due to his injury struggles Tuchel could opt for Chilwell in his place.
The full-back starred for the German during his time at Stamford Bridge and has already earned 21 caps for England.
Loftus-Cheek could come back into the team to partner Declan Rice in the midfield.
The midfielder has excelled since his move to AC Milan, scoring ten goals in his 48 appearances.
The Three Lions have struggled to find a partner for Rice, with Kobbie Mainoo, Adam Wharton and Angel Gomes all being given chances.
Dier played for Tuchel at Bayern Munich as part of a back-three last season on goal difference.
The defender did enough to convince the club to make his loan move permanent after he had fallen out of favour at Tottenham.
Reece James could also be a beneficiary of Tuchel’s potential appointment.
Should the Chelsea star regain his fitness, then he would certainly be a shoo-in over Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in the right-wing-back role.
Tuchel has also often used a 4-2-3-1 formation during his time as a manager.
This could see the likes of Mount, Dier, Chilwell and James keep their spots in the team but in more traditional roles.
Dier could be used in the pivot alongside Rice, while James and Chilwell could line up a back four.
By Tom Barclay
LEE CARSLEY’S tactical experiment of playing no strikers backfired as Vangelis Pavlidis’ double secured an emotional shock win for Greece at Wembley.
Interim England boss Carsley played all three of our nation’s gifted No10s – Phil Foden, Jue Bellingham and Cole Palmer – in varying positions.
But it did not work and the Greeks took a deserved lead thanks to Pavlidis’ belting second-half finish.
The visitors then held up a shirt in celebration bearing the name Baldock – in reference to their team-mate George Baldock, whose passing at the age of just 31 on Wednesday rocked the world of football.
Bellingham looked to have ensured the points were shared with a thunderous strike with three minutes to go.
But there was still time for Pavlidis to expose some woeful defending deep into injury time by firing past Jordan Pickford.
Here are SunSport’s player ratings from a dire night for England under the arch.
Jordan Pickford: 4
Wandered into no-man’s-land territory outside his box early on and lost the ball, allowing Greek skipper Tasos Baksetas a free shot at goal – only to be saved by Levi Colwill’s last-gasp clearance. Did not instil confidence, despite his experience.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6
Some tasty passes – they are his speciality, after all – but not great at the back. He, John Stones and Cole Palmer were weak in their attempt to close down Vangelis Pavlidis before the Benfica man smashed home the opener.
John Stones: 5
Made captain for what was his 82nd cap, surpassing Rio Ferdinand’s haul. But it was a shaky display from his defence and Stones should have done better to stop Pavlidis.
Levi Colwill: 7
Greece would have been ahead far sooner were it not for Colwill’s athletic hack away to deny Bakasetas. Replays showed it would have crossed the line had the Chelsea man been a split second later with his incredible intervention.
Rico Lewis: 6
Tried to bomb up the left flank where he could but, just like Kieran Trippier at the Euros, was hamstrung by constantly having to cut back onto his favoured right foot.
Declan Rice: 6
Played as England’s only holding midfielder, as fans had been imploring Gareth Southgate to use him for years. It was not like he was overrun but his side did look vulnerable on the counter.
Phil Foden: 4
Spent most of the game pressing the Greek backline as a false nine without really getting on the ball and causing any damage. Ineffective.
Cole Palmer: 6
Deployed in a deeper, central-midfield role which at least meant he saw plenty of the ball, though he blazed England’s best chance of the first half over the bar. Remarkably, his first competitive England start, despite being named on Tuesday as Three Lions player of the 2023-24 season.
Bukayo Saka: 5
Struggled to get into the game and then was forced out of it, worryingly limping off early in the second half. The last thing Arsenal fans wanted to see.
Jude Bellingham: 7 STAR MAN
Played in a false nine position and had a belting early shot well saved. The system did not work but Bellingham still so nearly emerged as the saviour by banging in his first goal of the season for club and country.
Anthony Gordon: 5
Caused Greece few problems and his touch looked off it. Had a decent chance from Alexander-Arnold’s peach of a delivery but headed over.
SUBS:
Noni Madueke (for Saka 52): Played out on the left, rather than his natural right, when coming on. Went down in the box deep into injury time but no penalty was given. 6
Ollie Watkins (for Gordon 60): Almost scored with his first touch when played through by Palmer, but smashed just over. 7
Dominic Solanke (for Foden 72): Grabbed an assist when laying the ball back to Bellingham who thumped in the leveller. 7
Manager Lee Carsley: 4
Seemed to gamble unnecessarily with this experimental system instead of playing it safe to add another win to boost his case to earn the job full-time. Carsley played without a natural centre-forward when winning the Under-21 Euros because he had to after Flo Balogun switched the USA and Rhian Brewster got injured, but here he did it by choice and it did not work. Bellingham looked to have saved his bacon – but then Pavlidis struck again.
DEAR DEIDRE: IF my wife puts any more filler in her face, I’m not going to recognise her.
Her friendship group all do the same and if I’m honest they have started to look really odd.
Although I see hundreds of pounds disappearing from our account whenever she goes to the beautician, she never gives a straight answer about what she’s spent our money on.
I’m 47 and she’s 46.
Apart from the obscene cost, I really don’t like how all this treatment makes her look, and I preferred her face before all of this.
How do I tell her? Or should I just put up with it if it’s making her happy?
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Fill out and submit our easy-to-use and confidential form and the Dear Deidre team will get back to you.
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DEIDRE SAYS: Let your wife know you love her natural looks and are concerned they are disappearing every time she gets treatment.
Talk to her about cutting back to save money, but also because you miss the face she was born with.
Communicate with her and ensure she feels attractive – this will help improve her self-esteem.
DEAR DEIDRE: SINCE I became an adult, I’ve experienced really odd behaviour from my uncle.
I used to really like him when I was a child, but since becoming an adult I find spending time around him unsettling.
I’m 22 now and he’s 57.
He says things like “you’ve developed so nicely”, and the emphasis on the word developed is so wrong.
Last time I saw him, he greeted me with a hug but his hands drifted down to cup my bum.
No one saw and I wanted to slap him.
Every problem gets a personal reply from one of our trained counsellors.
Fill out and submit our easy-to-use and confidential form and the Dear Deidre team will get back to you.
You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page or email us at:
deardeidre@the-sun.co.uk
DEIDRE SAYS: His behaviour amounts to sexual assault.
He’s counting on you feeling awkward and keeping this to yourself, so please tell someone in your family who you trust and it will help you feel less isolated.
Tell him you won’t tolerate any more assaults and will report him if he does this again.
Please contact Rape Crisis (rapecrisis.org.uk, 0808 500 2222) and read my sexual assault support pack for more advice.
