United chiefs add PL coach who’s appreciated by INEOS to managerial shortlist amid Ten Hag uncertainty

As per The Telegraph, senior Manchester United chiefs have added Thomas Frank to their managerial shortlist in case Erik ten Hag is relieved of his duties. 

It’d certainly be a leap of faith from the board should they decide to appoint the Brentford coach, as Frank is yet to manage a team that’s expected to be competing for Europe’s top accolades.

However, his relationship with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and sporting advisor Sir Dave Brailsford has seen him placed in high estimations amongst the other potential candidates; Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate have also been linked with Old Trafford’s hot seat.

Frank has received plaudits for the stellar job that he’s performed with the Bees, taking them from the Championship to the Premier League and overseeing a top-half finish (ninth) in their second top-flight campaign.

He penned a contract extension at the Gtech Stadium last season, which runs until 2027 and came amid interest from other English sides.

The report, written by Mike McGrath, adds: “While Frank is ‘manager’ at Brentford, United want a head coach to focus solely on the team, with incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox overseeing other departments such as recruitment.”