Pep Guardiola v Erik ten Hag – Who will come out on top in the FA Cup final?

PA Ready, Erik ten Hag, Manchester United, Jim Ratcliffe, Dutch, Premier League, Manchester City, Gareth Southgate, English, Coventry, Crystal Palace, Ineos, England, Kieran McKenna, Arsenal, West Ham, Etihad Stadium, Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter, Thomas Tuchel, Inter Milan

Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag have enjoyed very different seasons (PA Images)

The two managers preparing their teams for Saturday’s FA Cup final could scarcely be doing so under more polarised circumstances.

With Manchester City enjoying a period of success unprecedented in English football, United are weathering a storm so fierce it may not subside even if they upset the odds and beat their rivals at Wembley.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the contrasting situations of the managers.

Erik ten Hag

Following one of the club’s worst league seasons in a generation it could be that the writing is already on the wall for Ten Hag after two years in the job, as new minority owners Ineos consider how best to take the club forward.

Four victories in the final 13 games of the Premier League season, a run that included a calamitous 4-0 humbling by Crystal Palace early in May, was an indicator that progress under their Dutch coach has stalled, whilst even the manner in which they reached Saturday’s final – throwing away a 3-0 semi-final lead against Championship side Coventry and requiring penalties to edge through – drew harsh criticism.

Ten Hag called the hostile media reception to the semi-final win “embarrassing”, but the assessment of United’s performance against the Sky Blues was a snapshot of a campaign in which they have consistently been accused of failing to exercise control over games.

There would be no shortage of candidates should Sir Jim Ratcliffe decide upon a change, with Mauricio Pochettino – who was considered for the job in 2022 before the appointment of Ten Hag – the latest name to become available following his departure from Chelsea. Former Blues bosses Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter as well as England manager Gareth Southgate have also been linked, as has Kieran McKenna of Ipswich.

Ultimately the decision could come down to how much of United’s demise is deemed to be on Ten Hag’s shoulders and how much is the product of more structural problems outside of the manager’s control.

Pep Guardiola

The City boss admitted he will be “closer to leaving than staying” at the Etihad Stadium after next season, following his team’s record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Speaking after the 3-1 win over West Ham that sealed the title by a two-point margin from Arsenal, Guardiola said: “My feeling is that I want to stay now. I will stay next season and during the season we will talk. But eight or nine years – we will see.”

The 53-year-old also acknowledged he had considered leaving after last season’s Treble success, indicating he felt there was little else left to achieve in the aftermath of the 1-0 win over Inter Milan that won them the Champions League.

That feeling may yet return should City become the first English club to achieve back-to-back league and cup doubles on Saturday, particularly if it turns out to be a precursor to an unprecedented fifth title in a row next term.

OTHER NEWS

19 minutes ago

'Bewildered' Italy are battling an identity crisis, writes MATT BARLOW... Luciano Spalletti's side must shake off their existential funk if they intend on defending their European title

19 minutes ago

Gunmen open fire on synagogue and church leaving six dead

19 minutes ago

Salford Red Devils player ratings as Marc Sneyd masterclass inspires St Helens win

22 minutes ago

Andy Macdonald: 50-year-old friend of Tony Hawk qualifies for Team GB Olympic skateboarding team

22 minutes ago

Novak Djokovic arrives at Wimbledon as rehabilitation continues

27 minutes ago

Gaza artist Maisara Baroud’s limited-edition prints for sale at Dubai's Zawyeh Gallery

27 minutes ago

Xavi Simons responds to Manchester United and Arsenal transfer links

27 minutes ago

Jos Buttler praises England trio after win over USA to reach T20 World Cup semi-finals

28 minutes ago

‘He made his bed and must lay in it’: Nota reacts to Sir Trill’s woes

28 minutes ago

V&A set to hire more men to be more inclusive

28 minutes ago

Zizi Kodwa - facing corruption charges - a “spit” on taxpayers faces as he returns to Parliament

28 minutes ago

Tartan Army supporters descend on Stuttgart ahead of Euro 2024 clash

28 minutes ago

Stardew Valley Players Reveal the Mistakes They Can't Stop Making

28 minutes ago

MoD issue ‘myth-busting’ Nato video after Farage comments on Ukraine invasion

28 minutes ago

Tunisia’s soccer Cup 2023-2024 (Quarter final): S.Tunisien through to semin-finals

28 minutes ago

Spalletti set to shake things up for Italy's clash with Croatia

31 minutes ago

Sarah Becker Dies: MTV’s ‘The Real World: Miami’ Alum Was 52

32 minutes ago

Game Of Thrones' Total Death Count Is A Lot Higher Than You Likely Think

32 minutes ago

England hat-trick hero Chris Jordan cherishes ‘special’ day in front of family

32 minutes ago

Colin Montgomerie explains why Rory McIlroy will be doubly hurt by US Open failure

32 minutes ago

'This is a disaster for Macron': Will the French president's gamble on elections pay off?

32 minutes ago

Croatia vs. Italy expected lineups, starting 11, team news: Modric and Barella to start Euro 2024 match

32 minutes ago

Kevin McGarry Reflects On ‘When Calls The Heart’ Season 11’s Big Moments And Just What Makes This Show So Special

32 minutes ago

Blue Jays claim RHP Jose Cuas off waivers from Cubs

32 minutes ago

Death toll at Hajj pilgrimage rises to 1,300 amid scorching temperatures

32 minutes ago

‘Gone nuclear’: The energy debate’s ‘fallout’ between Coalition and Labor

32 minutes ago

Only 20 percent of top 50 making way to 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic

32 minutes ago

Maro Itoje has finally grown into a leader for England – and Steve Borthwick is delighted

32 minutes ago

Blue Jays call up Steward Berroa, place Orelvis Martinez on restricted list

32 minutes ago

The Sharks acquire Egor Afanasyev from the Predators for Ozzy Wiesblatt

32 minutes ago

Veteran Republican strategist tells Fox News that Trump is falling in polls since his conviction

32 minutes ago

USA vs ENG Live Score, T20 World Cup 2024: Tricky USA stand in way of England's semi-final berth at Barbados

32 minutes ago

Chilling new video captures suspected Saudi spy filming US Capitol, National Monument before 9/11

32 minutes ago

Watch as Ryan Garcia tries his hand at STAND-UP COMEDY with excruciating routine following his doping ban

32 minutes ago

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark arrive for hotly-anticipated WNBA showdown with Sky rookie rocking eye-catching ensemble

36 minutes ago

Biden campaign lays out debate week strategy in new memo

38 minutes ago

Video: Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo says Trump's hush money case should have 'never been brought'

39 minutes ago

Toronto Blue Jays infielder gets 80-game drug suspension 2 days after major league debut

39 minutes ago

Illinois may soon return land the U.S. stole from a Prairie Band Potawatomi chief 175 years ago

39 minutes ago

'We are dreaming' - brave Albania not just playing for pride against Spain