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VfB Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness was reportedly offered the Manchester United job in the summer but he turned down the opportunity.
Erik ten Hag narrowly held on to his job in the summer following an extremely poor 2023/24 season that saw United finish in eighth position in the Premier League, their lowest-ever since 1989/90.
He looked destined for the sack but he survived, thanks in large to the club’s FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City at Wembley. After a lengthy end-of-season review, not only did Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS decide to afford the Dutchman more time, but they also triggered a one-year extension in his contract to keep him at Old Trafford until 2026.
However, it’s believed the United hierarchy held exploratory talks with a number of potential replacements for Ten Hag, including Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Frank, Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi and others.
United’s slow start to the current campaign has led to renewed speculation over Ten Hag’s future at the club and as a result, managerial links have surfaced once again.
According to BILD reporter Julian Agardi, the brilliant Hoeness was approached by United in the summer, with the Reds keen to engage his interest in a possible switch to England.
Hoeness rejected their advances.
Agardi wrote on X, “During the summer break, Manchester United knocked on Sebastian’s door #Hoeneß. The “Red Devils” asked about possible transfer terms. Hoeneß felt flattered, but he politely declined.”
“Because he doesn’t see his career at #VfB as over by any means.”
In der Sommerpause klopfte Manchester United bei Sebastian #Hoeneß an. Die “Red Devils” erkundigten sich nach möglichen Wechsel-Modalitäten. Zwar fühlte sich Hoeneß geschmeichelt, er lehnte jedoch höflich ab. Denn: Seinen Weg beim #VfB sieht er längst nicht als beendet an. @BILD
— Julian Agardi (@AgardiJulian) October 13, 2024
This information was re-affirmed by Agardi’s colleague at BILD, Christian Falk.
During the summer break, Manchester United contacted Sebastian Hoeneß (42), manager of VfB Stuttgart. Even before they extended the contract of head coach Erik ten Hag (54), the United bosses wanted to know whether Hoeneß would be available for the job as United’s manager and… pic.twitter.com/9dGEPz1x7y
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) October 13, 2024
It’s no surprise that United retain an admiration for Hoeness, who is undoubtedly one of the best up-and-coming managers at the moment.
The 42-year-old tactician led Stuttgart to the Champions League after a sensational second-place finish in the Bundesliga last season, ahead of giants Bayern Munich.
Under his tutelage, Stuttgart boasted the second-best defence in Germany’s top flight, only behind invincible winners Bayer Leverkusen.
The Baden-Wurttemberg outfit are currently in eighth position in the Bundesliga with nine points gained from their opening six fixtures.
As pressure continues to mount on Ten Hag, Hoeness is certainly one to watch out for as a potential successor.
Featured image Christian Kaspar-Bertke via Getty Images
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