Manchester United have reportedly held ‘preliminary talks’ with former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte as Sir Jim Ratcliffe plans to replace Erik ten Hag.
Reports have it that Julen Lopetegui is also attracting interest at Old Trafford.
United are in sixth place in the Premier League table and eight points away from the top four.
It is believed that Ratcliffe is looking ahead to rebuilding the squad in the summer.
Changes could take place in other ways too, however, and as previously revealed by TEAMtalk, Ten Hag is seen by some club chiefs as an interim manager rather than a permanent one.
United have won their last two matches which has taken some of the pressure off the Dutch coach.
They got knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages, though, which has left his long-term future at the club uncertain.
According to Caught Offside, via Teamtalk while there is not an ‘immediate desire’ to replace Ten Hag there is a feeling that he could be sacked if United’s form does not improve significantly in the second half of the season.
The report states that United have made ‘initial contact’ with Julen Lopetegui and Antonio Conte as Ratcliffe plans for Ten Hag’s potential departure.
It’s claimed that Lopetegui was ‘recently approached’ by Saudi club Al Ittihad but ‘turned down the chance’ to take over as their manager because an ‘opening at Old Trafford could soon come about.’
Lopetegui has plenty of experience at the top level, previously managing Porto, the Spain national team, Real Madrid, Sevilla and most recently Wolves.
The 57-year-old has managed some of the biggest names in football and enjoyed success at Sevilla in particular, winning the Europa League in 2020.
Conte would be a less straightforward addition for United as ‘his preference is to remain in Italy closer to his family.’
The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss hasn’t ‘entirely ruled out the possibility of managing in the Premier League again’ and ‘hasn’t agreed terms with AC Milan despite reports to the contrary.’
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