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Erik ten Hag’s management address Wolves situation amid Molineux rumours

Erik ten Hag has emerged as a target for Wolves in their mission to replace Vitor Pereira.

Of all the names floated to take over at Wolves, Erik ten Hag’s was one of the more surprising — Gary O’Neil aside.

Links between Wolves and Ten Hag came to the fore on Tuesday, after O’Neil withdrew from contention for the job.

The Dutchman is a free agent since leaving Bayer Leverkusen on September 1st, and is thought to be open to a Premier League return.

Ten Hag’s first stint in England at Old Trafford garnered mixed reviews. He helped United to both the FA Cup and League Cup in successive seasons, but his league performance ultimately wasn’t good enough.

Since he left, things have only gotten worse at United, so there’s an argument to be made that he wasn’t the problem.

Erik ten Hag and Gary O'Neil during Wolves vs Manchester United
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images

As for a potential return, Dutch outlet NOS spoke with Ten Hag’s management to get further clarity on where things stand.

They report: “Erik ten Hag is attracting interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers, his management confirmed to NOS. The English football club, currently bottom of the Premier League, is interested in the Dutch manager, who was sacked by German side Bayer Leverkusen after just two league games this season.

“Where this will lead remains to be seen. Reports of a conversation Ten Hag is planning or has already had with Wolves are ‘premature’, says Ten Hag’s management.”

So as of now, Wolves are no closer to finding their replacement.

Wolves may struggle to find a good manager

Finding a new manager is no easy feat, but especially when you’re bottom of the league and set for the drop.

Coming into a side barely above water isn’t the most attractive proposition. Some would argue this job is set up for failure, and Ten Hag might be reluctant to come to Wolves for that very reason.

Wolves have looked at Rob Edwards, but he also seems hesitant and for good reason. Middlesbrough probably have the same or better odds of being in the Premier League next season, sitting in third in the Championship at time of writing.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
1 CoventryCoventry14 9 4 1 39 13 26 31
2 Stoke CityStoke City14 8 3 3 21 9 12 27
3 MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough14 7 5 2 17 12 5 26
4 MillwallMillwall14 7 3 4 16 19 -3 24
5 CharltonCharlton14 6 5 3 16 11 5 23

The current rumour doing the rounds is that Wolves want a UK manager this time around, but most with an ear to the ground in English football would say this is the worst managerial role in the country right now.

Ten Hag may yet be the man to come in, but by all appearances, Wolves are struggling to tempt their targets.