Since Manchester United officially confirmed that the selection of the official manager next season has begun, rumors about the new Red Devils coach have been endless. Among them, although Ajax coach Tenhag has made it clear that he is currently focused on competing for the Dutch First Division, the Dutch Cup and the Champions League treble, it is still unable to stop the rumors from the outside world.
ESPN reports reveal that United have been following Tenhag as early as when he was in charge of Utrecht. Tenhag coached the team from 2015 to December 2017 before joining Ajax. In other words, Manchester United have been following Tenhag for 4 to 7 years! The report also pointed out that Manchester United has now approached Tenhag to coach the team at the end of the season. Dutch football journalist Mike Verweij has declared that the possibility of Tenhag coaching Manchester United this summer is increasing. Because this is a famous person who has a close relationship with Ajax and the Dutch players, in fact, what he gives is pure nonsense, there is no substance, but it still makes many Manchester United fans very excited.
Pochettino, another favourite for United's new manager, has just turned his 50th birthday when he gets a huge mural documenting key moments in his 30-year career, as well as a large cake with the club crest he played for. But parisian Saint-Germain giants Nasser Al-Halefe and Leonardo did not attend their birthday party, further sparking rumors that Pochettino would leave Greater Paris.
In Manchester, the pre-match press conference of the Premier League derby between Manchester United and Manchester City has also become a venue to inquire about the progress of the coaching work. In response, Lonnick hinted that he might not be able to become an official manager. "Have you ever considered coaching forever?" I don't have any thoughts about it because my attention is focused on Sunday and then on Tottenham and Atletico. I don't have time to think about that."
So does Lonnick have a say in who will be United's next manager? He replied, "We've had one or two meetings with the scouting supervisor. I'm not going to go into detail, the club hasn't talked much about the new coach yet."
Asking whether the next manager can give United a clear way of playing, Lonnick said: "I don't know. It obviously depends on the head coach next season, each with their own ideas about football. But I think the key is to continue to maintain the highest level. I think Jurgen (Klopp) and Pep (Guardiola) are two of the best coaches in Europe, they have a clear concept of football and they have a vision."
If he is unable to turn regular, Lonnick will be a senior football adviser for Manchester United clubs, and he will have a say in the transfer issue. He was asked how United would determine the right new signings without knowing who the manager was.
"Again, I'll tell you that the club hasn't talked about that yet. I'm not fit to answer that question, I'm here to focus on the team. We'll talk about transfers, but now is not the time, there's no time or opportunity." Lonnick said with some impatience, "I will coach here until the end of the season, and the most important thing is to develop the players and the team." I'm always there and can give advice to my colleagues, but haven't done so far, and that could change in the coming weeks or months."