‘Don’t want to upset Erik again!’ – Gary Lineker risks Ten Hag’s wrath as he names potential next Man Utd manager just days after grilling Dutchman on live TV

The exit narrative further gained traction during a post-match BBC interview where Lineker and Alan Shearer probed Ten Hag about his future. The Dutchman, visibly frustrated, condemned the media’s “unfair” treatment of him and his team throughout the season. Lineker, however, defended the interview, maintaining that it was within the bounds of journalistic inquiry.

Lineker has further risked Ten Hag’s wrath by tipping former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino for the United job on the The Rest is Football podcast.

“There were a few rumours about Pochettino and he said a few things that made you think all was not well at Chelsea,” Lineker said. “But I just couldn’t believe it [his sacking]. It doesn’t make any sense. In terms of Pochettino, the way they finished the season, and his position as a coach, I don’t think that’s gone down at all in people’s minds, I think he’ll be fine and will get a good job. I’m tempted to say possibly Manchester United but we don’t want to upset Erik or the United fans again!”

Pochettino’s tenure at Chelsea was short-lived but not without merit. Despite a challenging season, he managed to steer the club to a respectable sixth place, ensuring European football next season. Alan Shearer, echoing Lineker’s sentiments, suggested that Pochettino might be better off away from the tumultuous environment at Stamford Bridge. “He’s better off out of there. He’s a good man and a good coach, he will get a really good job somewhere,” Shearer remarked. “That is the very, very best he could have done when you look at where they finished. He got them to a final and a semi-final and back into Europe. I honestly don’t think he could have done any better than he did. It’s just a mad football club. There must have been a fall-out but whoever goes in there can never complain about what goes on because you take that job knowing it’s a bit of a mad football club.”

The uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future has only intensified with the silence from the club’s hierarchy. Shearer pointed out the lack of a clear statement supporting Ten Hag as indicative of his precarious position. “If United were going to keep Ten Hag on, I am sure they would have come out and said that at some stage before the FA Cup final,” he observed.

“Instead, the silence has been deafening, and I think that is pretty telling. At the same time, I do understand why Ten Hag’s future is in doubt because of how bad large parts of this season have been. Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world and it is not acceptable for them to finish eighth, or go out of the Champions League in the group stage the way they did.

“This performance gives their fans something to celebrate, at least, but we don’t know what is going to happen next with United, and whether this is the start of something bigger or just the end for Ten Hag. If it is the latter, then what a way to sign off.”