Comparing Man Utd’s 5 managerial candidates: Ten Hag, Pochettino…

Nathan Egerton • 19 Mar 2022

Manchester United reportedly have a five-man managerial shortlist as they look to name Ole Gunnar Solsjaer’s long-term successor – but how do the candidates compare?

Mauricio Pochettino was linked with the role after Jose Mourinho’s departure in 2018 and remains one of the frontrunners to be appointed the next manager.

But Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag is also a leading candidate due to his track record of promoting youth, rebuilding squads and challenging for silverware.

According to the Guardian, Chelsea’s current predicament has alerted the Old Trafford hierarchy to the potential availability of Thomas Tuchel.

United are also big admirers of Luis Enrique, but he might not be willing to leave the Spain job before the World Cup in November.

The final name on the shortlist is Julen Lopetegui, who has been enjoying a successful spell a Sevilla and knocked United out of the Europa League in 2020.

Using data from transfermarkt, we’ve compared their managerial records to see who comes out on top. Note: we’ve not included any games in charge of youth or reserve sides.

Erik Ten Hag

Clubs: Go Ahead Eagles, Utrecht, Ajax

Games: 356
Won: 228
Drawn: 60
Lost: 68

Goals for: 859
Goals against: 386

Points per game: 2.08
Win rate: 64.04%
Loss rate: 19.1%

Goals per game: 2.41
Goals against per game: 1.08

Trophies: 5 (Eredivisie x2, KNVB Cup x2, Johan Cruyff Shield)

READ: 11 quotes to explain Erik ten Hag’s philosophy: ‘A Cruyffian influence’

Mauricio Pochettino

Clubs: Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, PSG

Games: 588
Won: 286
Drawn: 126
Lost: 176

Goals for: 996
Goals against: 690

Points per game: 1.67
Win rate: 48.6%
Loss rate: 29.9%

Goals per game: 1.69
Goals against per game: 1.17

Trophies: 2 (Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions)

Thomas Tuchel

Clubs: Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Chelsea

Games: 494
Won: 289
Drawn: 91
Lost: 114

Goals for: 1,016
Goals against: 553

Points per game:
Win rate: 58.5%
Loss rate: 23.07%

Goals per game: 2.05
Goals against per game: 1.11

Trophies: 10 (DFB-Pokal, Ligue 1 x2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup)

Thomas Tuchel on Manchester United links:

"Do you feel me less committed, involved with the Club? I love to be here, I love to work for #Chelsea. This Club has everything it needs to make me happy."

— Absolute Chelsea (@AbsoluteChelsea) March 18, 2022