Gary Neville explains why Man United won't replace Erik ten Hag with Gareth Southgate this summer

Gary Neville thinks there is “no way” Manchester United will replace Gareth Southgate with Erik ten Hag this summer given how late the England boss would arrive at Old Trafford.

Southgate has previously hinted that he could leave the national team after the upcoming European Championships, although he has also equally outlined that he could stay. Any approach for Southgate would need to happen after the Euros, meaning his arrival would be mid-to-late July.

The new season starts on August 17, a month and three days after the Euros final. Neville believes that this is too short a turnaround for Southgate to become the next United boss and suggests that Ten Hag will keep his job despite mounting pressure over his future.

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Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, the former United captain said: “I’ve come to the conclusion that Southgate can’t happen [at United]. There’s no way Man United can wait until mid-July when pre-season has already started, they’d look like they don’t know what they’re doing.

“There’s no way that Gareth can announce he’s going to United before a major tournament. He won’t do that. You know Gareth and I know Gareth, there’s no way we’re going to see an announcement he’s going to leave England and join United.

“That would create absolute turbulence in the England squad. He’s not going to do that to the FA or England players. In my opinion, that’s not happening. It could but I don’t think so. The likelihood of them announcing him in July, after the tournament, I can’t see that. I think they’ll stick with Erik ten Hag.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who the Manchester Evening News understands is not totally sold on Ten Hag as this long-term pick, is set to make a sack decision by the end of the season. Targeted sporting director Dan Ashworth, currently on gardening leave from Newcastle, worked with Southgate at the FA.

He also famously worked alongside Graham Potter, also linked with United, at Brighton & Hove Albion. Meanwhile, exiting Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel - whom Potter replaced at Chelsea in 2022 - has been cast as another potential successor for Ten Hag.