Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has claimed that two managers have had a “very different approach” at Manchester United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who is one of the best managers of all time, called it time on his legendary managerial career in 2013 after his time with Manchester United.
The 82-year-old United legend bowed out of Old Trafford at the end of the 2012-13 season, with Ferguson capturing the Red Devils’ last Premier League title.
United have had eight managers following the retirement of Ferguson, including permanent appointments, caretaker managers and an interim head coach.
David Moyes took over from Ferguson in 2013 and the West Ham boss endured a nightmare spell at Old Trafford, with the Scotsman sacked after only 10 months.
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs briefly took over as caretaker manager after David Moyes was sacked ahead of Louis van Gaal’s arrival at the club in 2014.
Louis van Gaal did see success at Old Trafford in his two seasons in charge, including leading the Red Devils to an FA Cup trophy in 2016.
However, the Dutchman’s reign came to an end after his FA Cup triumph and Jose Mourinho became United manager in 2016 after Van Gaal’s sacking.
Mourinho lifted a Europa League and a League Cup in his debut season at Old Trafford, but the ‘Special One’ met the same fate as Moyes and Van Gaal.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was initially appointed caretaker manager in 2018 before he was appointed United head coach was made permanent in 2019.
However, the United legend was axed in 2021 and Michael Carrick subsequently served as caretaker boss, with Ralf Rangnick later appointed interim manager.
Souness talks Man Utd managers post-Ferguson
Fast-forward to 2022 and Erik ten Hag arrived as the latest Manchester United manager, with the Dutchman lifting a League Cup in his debut season at the club.
However, Erik ten Hag’s future has been cast in doubt in the current campaign amid Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe capturing his minority stake in the Red Devils.
England boss Gareth Southgate has emerged as a surprise candidate to replace Ten Hag at Old Trafford if the former Ajax boss is axed from the Premier League club.
Speaking in his column for The Daily Mail, Graeme Souness dropped his two cents on the speculation linking Gareth Southgate as a replacement for Ten Hag.
The former Sky Sports pundit claimed that both Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho had a “decent crack” at United, but the pair both “failed” at Old Trafford.
However, Souness has insisted that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ten Hag had taken a “very different approach” at United, despite saying that “little has improved.”
The Liverpool legend wrote for the newspaper: “Gareth is non-confrontational; he has a safe image so that will appeal to some.
“Yet look at the three most successful managers in the Premier League: Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta, they are all very emotional, passionate characters who wear their heart on their sleeves.
“That’s not Gareth. Of course, there is more than one way to get a job done but the United job, if it comes up, needs a big character.
“Bigger, more experienced managers, like Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have had a decent crack at it but ultimately still failed while little has improved under the very different approach of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag.”
Souness on Southgate and Man Utd links
Souness has suggested that Southgate’s “best bet” is to remain “put” at England if the Three Lions win major silverware at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.
“As I’ve said before, whoever takes that job needs to get recruitment right first,” he continued.
“Find top players and they don’t need telling twice, they do the job for you. I was part of a dressing room like that as a player with Liverpool and I had that as a manager with Rangers.
“Sure, there’s a connection between Dan Ashworth, who is coming in as technical director at United, and Gareth but is that enough? No, if England win the Euros, his best bet is to stay put.”