Erik ten Hag emerges as contender for top Bundesliga job - as Dutchman eyes return to management seven months after his sacking by Manchester United
Erik ten Hag has emerged as a contender to replace Xabi Alonso should he confirm his expected departure from Bayer Leverkusen.
Talks have yet to take place as Alonso has still to confirm his plans with Real Madrid waiting in the wings for the Spaniard.
But former Manchester United boss Ten Hag is on a list of potential candidates that Leverkusen would like to speak to should Alonso leave.
Ten Hag has a good reputation in Germany from his time working at Bayern Munich and was heavily linked with the Borussia Dortmund coaching role in January.
However, the 55-year old, who was sacked by Manchester United in October and continues to be paid compensation by the club, has been keen to recharge and take his time before leaping straight back into management.
Leverkusen are second in the Bundesliga, eight points adrift of Bayern Munich. However, Leverkusen boss Alonso is favourite to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
Ancelotti had been lined up to become national team coach of Brazil but that is now in doubt as Madrid have not given permission yet.
Though the 65-year old Italian coach is still expected to leave the Bernabeu, Madrid have yet to clarify plans of who will be in charge for the forthcoming World Club Championship.
Their reluctance to give Ancelotti the green light has put his potential appointment as Brazil boss in jeopardy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
32 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Marseille reach ‘agreement in principle' to sign England midfielder Angel Gomes
Angel Gomes is set to join Marseille after the Ligue 1 club announced they had reached an 'agreement in principle' to sign the England midfielder. The former Manchester United youngster is set to become a free agent when his contract with another French side in Lille expires at the end of this month. Advertisement The 24-year-old could also be joined by Burnley's CJ Egan-Riley at the Stade Velodrome after the Clarets confirmed the defender had rejected the offer of a new deal at Turf Moor. 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 🤝 Olympique de Marseille announces that it has reached an agreement in principle with Angel Gomes regarding the arrival of the English international midfielder at the club. 🏴 — Olympique de Marseille 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@OM_English) June 11, 2025 Gomes joined Lille five years ago after failing to establish himself as a first-team regular at Old Trafford. His performances have since earned him four England caps. He had been linked with West Ham and Tottenham but has opted for Marseille, where he will link up with another former United player in Mason Greenwood. Advertisement A statement from Marseille read: 'Olympique de Marseille announces that it has reached an agreement in principle with Angel Gomes regarding the arrival of the English international midfielder at the club.' Egan-Riley, who is a graduate of Manchester City's youth programme, impressed as Burnley secured promotion back to the Premier League last season but was also out of contract this summer. The Lancashire side were keen for the 22-year-old to stay but have accepted he wishes to move on. Egan-Riley also looks to be heading to France (Mike Egerton/PA) They confirmed the centre-back's departure in a statement which referred to him joining an unnamed Ligue 1 club. It has been widely claimed that is Marseille. Advertisement The statement added: 'Burnley Football Club can confirm that it has been informed by the representatives of CJ Egan-Riley that the England U21 international defender has now formally rejected the club's offer of a significant long-term contract with the club. 'Despite the club's commitment to securing CJ's long-term future and the substantial investment offered, CJ has made the decision to pursue an opportunity in France.'
Time Out
an hour ago
- Time Out
You can eat a tasting menu right on the NASCAR Chicago race track this summer
What's more thrilling than a high-speed NASCAR race? How about carb-loading right where the cars take off? This summer, Chicago Gourmet is rolling out one of its most daring (and delicious) experiences yet: a five-course Italian tasting menu served smack on the NASCAR Chicago Street Race track. On Wednesday, July 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the race's start/finish line will transform into the city's most unexpected fine-dining venue, blending Michelin-caliber cuisine with pit-lane vibes. As part of the Chicago Gourmet Festival's new 'Culinary World Series,' the event marks a high-octane kickoff to the city's biggest food celebration and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to toast with wine where tires usually burn rubber. The chef lineup is stacked with Chicago stars, including Fabio Viviani (Siena Tavern, Bar Siena), Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno), Joe Frillman and Leigh Omilinsky (Daisies) and Steve Maak (Levy Restaurants). The night's theme: bold Italian flavors, dished out trackside with flair. Diners can expect signature race-day cocktails from Jose Cuervo (the official tequila of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, naturally) and a "Cup Series" of wine pairings from legendary Italian winery Marchesi Antinori. There's even an emcee—culinary personality, Catherine De Orio—to steer the evening along. Tickets cost $250 per person, and proceeds benefit the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the state's hospitality workforce. This isn't Chicago Gourmet's only sports-forward event this year. Friday, July 25, brings a Duck Dog face-off at the Crosstown Classic, and Wednesday, August 20 features led by chefs from Virtue.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
‘Threats and blackmail don't work' – Sporting chief hits back at Man Utd target Gyokeres and reveals fee he won't accept
SPORTING'S president has furiously hit back at Manchester United target Victor Gyokeres saying: "Threats and blackmail don't work." The Sweden striker is considering going on strike to force through a dream move to United or Arsenal. 3 Gyokeres, 27, is furious with Sporting for going back on their word over a transfer promise to him and plans not to play for the club again. He believes he had a gentleman's agreement to leave the Portuguese giants for £50million with a further £8million in add-ons but that claim has been rubbished by president Frederico Varandas. And the Sporting chief insists he will not be bullied into letting the ex-Coventry forward move to the Prem on the cheap this summer. Varandas said: ' Sporting will not accept blackmail and insults – you should know me better by now. 'One thing is certain, we will not accept £50m plus £8m. As of now, Sporting has not received any bids for Gyokeres. "He is a fantastic professional, to this day he has had zero offers. He has a three-year contract with Sporting.' Responding to claims they have changed their stance, Varandas gave his version of the meetings they had last summer. He says the only guarantee he gave to the forward was that he would not ask for the full £85m of his release clause. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS He said: "It was agreed that Sporting would not demand the release clause at the end of the season, especially because he was going to be 27. "We knew about Viktor's dream of going to a club where he could fight for the Champions League and we have common sense. "We guaranteed that we would not demand £85m. Sporting has common sense, it keeps its word. "The president of Sporting said that the club would not demand the clause and that we would adjust the value to Viktor's performance. 'But he was one of the best players ever to step on the pitch in Portugal with 63 goals and ten assists. Now I see the agent is releasing information to the press.' United boss Ruben Amorim has made Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo his top priority after signing Matheus Cunha earlier in the window. 3 But he worked with Gyokeres at Sporting and could yet firm up the interest if the Red Devils can shift some of their existing forwards this summer. United legend Rio Ferdinand is not convinced by the striker and said: "I don't think he's the guy. I've not watched him loads but I've watched him probably three times really, really closely. "And three times I've gone, 'He ain't getting that opportunity in the Prem'. "When I see him physically matched, what else is there? Is there enough - after he's physically matched - to get him a goal?' Arsenal remain in the frame for him too with new director of football Andrea Berta a big fan from his days at Atletico Madrid. The Gunners are working on a deal for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko but are currently unwilling to meet the German club's asking price. Should that move reach a stalemate, they could go back for Gyokeres if they felt he gave better value for money and could make more of an instant impact. However Sporting are not willing to let their prized asset go without a fight.
