Breaking News: Manchester United ‘snap up new coach’ ahead of Erik ten Hag sack decision

Simon Wiles, a former coach of Salford City in League Two, which is owned by the Class of 92, is apparently set to join Manchester United.

According to reports, Simon Wiles from Salford City will be joining Manchester United as their new under-16 coach.

At Salford, which is owned by members of the Class of 92 including Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, and David Beckham, Wiles was coaching the first team. Salford, 39, said last week that he was stepping down from the team “for an opportunity with a Premier League club.”

Wiles will now work with the club’s development setup at Old Trafford as a coach, according to Alan Nixon of The Sun. Wiles was a former midfield player who was a member of Macclesfield Town and Blackpool.

Wiles’s departure was confirmed by Salford at the end of September. “I’ve really enjoyed coming back to the club, and I’m very grateful that Neil [Wood] brought me back. I would also like to thank the owners, staff, and all the players I’ve worked with for their efforts,” he stated at the time. Together, we’ve experienced some special times that will stick with me as I start a new chapter.”

During the previous season, Wiles served as caretaker at Salford and an interim manager at Fleetwood Town. Erik Ten Hag’s position as United’s first-team manager is up in the air at the moment of his arrival.

On Tuesday, United’s main players, including sporting director Dan Ashworth, chief executive Omar Berrada, and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, met. An evaluation of first-team development is scheduled, and it is inevitable that this will center on Ten Hag’s role.

With United having the worst-ever start to a Premier League season, the Dutchman is under fire. So far in 2024–25, the Reds have only triumphed three matches across all competitions.

It comes after United’s lowest finish since 1990 in seventh place last season. Although Ten Hag made it through an end-of-season review, Thomas Tuchel is one of the prominent coaches connected to Ten Hag should he decide to quit the Ajax team.