Erik Ten Hag will continue as the manager of Manchester United after a post-season review by the club’s board. The Dutchman, who is approaching the final season of his current contract, is now in discussions with the club about an extension.
FA Cup Victory Influences Decision
The review, initiated immediately after the FA Cup final, came amidst reports suggesting Ten Hag might be sacked regardless of the outcome. However, United’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Wembley allowed the club’s hierarchy to approach the review more positively. Constructive conversations with Ten Hag have affirmed the board’s preference for him to remain in charge.
Contract Extension Discussions Underway
Ten Hag, 54, is reportedly delighted with the decision, although there were indications he was becoming frustrated with the time taken to reach this conclusion. United believes the two-week period for the review was necessary, especially given it is the first season under new ownership.
Alternative Candidates Considered
During the review process, several other managers were linked with the job. Thomas Tuchel spoke to new United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe but ruled himself out. The club’s interest in Mauricio Pochettino also cooled after his departure from Chelsea. Other names such as Graham Potter, Thomas Frank, Roberto de Zerbi, and England boss Gareth Southgate were mentioned, though no formal approaches were made to Brentford regarding Frank, and Southgate’s summer commitments with England made his appointment impossible.
Ten Hag’s Tenure and Achievements
Ten Hag joined Manchester United in the summer of 2022, becoming the fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. He arrived following a successful tenure at Ajax, where he won three Eredivisie titles and two Dutch Cups. In his debut season at United, he led the club to third place in the Premier League and reached both the EFL Cup and FA Cup finals. The team won the EFL Cup in February 2023, defeating Newcastle.
Challenges and Setbacks
The 2023-24 season presented more difficulties for Ten Hag’s squad. An early exit from the Champions League, after finishing bottom of their group, and a poor start to the Premier League campaign, with six defeats in the opening 10 games, were significant setbacks. Despite the FA Cup triumph, the team struggled towards the end of the season, winning only five of their final 12 matches in all competitions.
Injuries and Performance
United’s eighth-place finish last season was their lowest in the Premier League era. Ten Hag frequently cited the 45 separate injury cases as a major factor in the team’s inconsistent performances.
As United prepares for the upcoming season, the focus will be on building stability and improving performance under Ten Hag’s continued leadership.
