Manchester United have added former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic to their shortlist as Erik ten Hag's future remains up in the air, according to reports.
INEOS are said to have identified the German as a left-field candidate, breaking away from the regular cluster of coaches consistently in the frame.
United are retaining faith in Ten Hag to turn things around for now following Tuesday's six-hour executive meeting in London.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer were among the attendees as the club's football leadership team - comprised of chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Dan Ashworth - recommended to hold fire.
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However, the Dutchman is under severe pressure for an instant upturn in results, and a continued rut would make his position untenable.
Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate and Ruud van Nistelrooy have been the most heavily linked candidates should a vacancy at Old Trafford emerge.
According to The Sun, United bosses have added Terzic to their shortlist after he caught the eye in his two stints as Dortmund head coach.
Surprisingly, the 41-year-old walked away from the Westfalenstadion in the summer shortly after guiding Dortmund to the Champions League final.
Despite a narrow losing effort to Real Madrid at Wembley, his stocks soared following the memorable campaign, during which he sanctioned Sancho's return.
He offered the 24-year-old an escape route after his public bust-up with Ten Hag, which resulted in a four-month exile from first-team training at Carrington.
Sancho rediscovered his spark back in Germany on a short loan, later sending Terzic love after his Dortmund departure was confirmed.
The Chelsea star wrote on Instagram: "Thank you for trusting me! [love heart emoji]. Forever grateful! I wish you the best of luck on your next chapter!"
The report adds that Terzic boasts multiple admirers at United, and he is considered an unexpected but innovative play if Ten Hag exits.
Terzic, friends with fellow reported United target Graham Potter, completed his coaching badges in England, graduating from the FA's 18-month course alongside Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic.
He started his coaching career as a scout and assistant in Dortmund's youth academy from 2010 to 2013, reporting to Jurgen Klopp.
Terzic became Slaven Bilic's assistant at Besiktas in 2013 and followed him to West Ham United two years later, staying in East London until 2017.
Across his first stint as interim manager after Lucien Favre's sacking and the second after his return, the former forward won 75 of his 128 matches, losing 29.