Manchester United are reportedly ready to sack current manager Erik ten Hag, with a shock replacement believed to be lined up.
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 27.7% stake in the Red Devils was made official, he has made changes in the boardroom with the appointment of Omar Berrada as the new Chief Executive Officer, and now a change in the dugout could be on the cards as well.
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According to the Daily Star, the British billionaire has made current England manager Gareth Southgate his preferred candidate to replace the Dutch tactician.
The Englishman's contract will expire in December this year, and it is believed that Ratcliffe is keen to compete for his services with the English FA, who are said to be eager to get the manager to sign a new deal.
Reports suggest that the INEOS CEO would have to fork out £800 000 (R19 million) to buy Southgate out of his contract with the Three Lions, while sacking the former Ajax Amsterdam would set the club back by an estimated £10 million (R240 million).
The Red Devils' co-owner is also said to want an answer from the 53-year-old soon as he looks to plan for the future of the club.
It is believed that Ratcliffe, along with INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, consulted former players regarding who the Dutchman's replacement should be, with Southgate being the overwhelming choice.
The Manchester outfit have had an underwhelming Premier League campaign, losing 11 of their 28 fixtures so far this season, leaving them in sixth place. The side are six points away from fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and nine points away from Aston Villa in fourth.
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They do, however, find themselves in the semi-final of the FA Cup after an enthralling 4-3 victory over Liverpool on Sunday.
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