Erik ten Hag lined up for first job since MU exit as Jurgen Klopp role emerges

Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag could expect an immediate return to management at Red Bull Leipzig – if the Bundesliga choose to sack Marco Rose.

Rose is under pressure at Leipzig after experiencing five defeats in their last six games, including a humiliating 5-1 home defeat to Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Leipzig are still in fourth place in the Bundesliga, but their alarming dip in form has seen them fall nine points behind leaders Bayern Munich and are now in danger of missing out on a place in the Champions League.

According to Sky in Germany, Leipzig have now shortlisted possible replacements for Rose if the 48-year-old cannot turn things around and Ten Hag's name has been included.

If Leipzig decide to give Rose the axe, ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could be responsible for hiring his successor. The German was appointed as the club's new head of football operations and will officially start in his new role on January 1. He has a close relationship with Rose, having managed him when he was Mainz boss almost two decades ago.

But now Klopp could be forced to make a change if the club's situation continues and his former Manchester United rival Ten Hag has emerged as an option.

Other names said to be on the shortlist include ex-Bayer Leverkusen Roger Schmidt, who is well known to Red Bull chiefs after managing RB Salzburg between 2012 and 2014.

Klopp's choice to bring in Ten Hag would be a surprising turn of events after the pair had dueled on the sidelines during fierce clashes between United and Liverpool over the past two years.

Ten Hag wants to return to management after being sacked by United following the club's worst ever start to a Premier League season, leaving the club in 14th place before he was replaced by Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim .

Although Ten Hag has come under fire for his selection choices and performances under his management, he should still receive offers from across Europe after winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his time at United and previously claiming three Eredivisie titles with Ajax.

The 54-year-old had mixed success when taking on Klopp amid speculation they could be reunited in Leipzig. The Dutchman played seven matches against his old rival, winning two, drawing two and losing three.