Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has revealed the ‘red flag’ that could cost Erik ten Hag his job as the manager of Manchester United.
The Red Devils are eighth in the Premier League, nine points behind a top four place.
After getting knocked out of the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, a top four finish and a shot at the FA Cup can salvage something for Man United this season.
Pressure is mounting on ten Hag to deliver as Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has bought 25% of the club and will be responsible for football operations at Old Trafford, will be attending his first game at the weekend after completing the deal with the Glazers.
Ratcliffe and his right hand man Sir Dave Brailsford, along with Joel Glazer, will be a part of a three man committee to assess the club’s performances.
Carragher believes this is bad news for ten Hag because the Glazers will not be acting as a shield for underperforming Man United managers anymore.
In his column in The Telegraph, Carragher wrote:
“There are red flags for Ten Hag immediately because, until now, the Glazers have been a shield for underperforming United coaches.
“Until now, Ten Hag has been afforded the same power as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, especially with regards to transfers.
“Guardiola and Klopp earned that through their success. Ten Hag has it because no-one has been around with the kudos and authority to say no.
“As United plan ahead for next season, recruitment responsibilities will no longer be primarily his. That will create a new dynamic … Well-run clubs will establish that the coach is comfortable with this arrangement during the appointment process.
“Ten Hag is now in a situation where he will have no choice but to adapt to the changes that are afoot, especially when United finally appoint a director of football.”
“A successful business is only successful because of dedicated planning and structure. At Ajax, Ten Hag could rely on the work of Edwin van der Sar and Marc Overmars while he focused on implementing his philosophies on the field. It is one of the club’s most memorable partnerships and delighted fans of the European game around the globe.”
…The above extract from Shaun Connolly’s article , published the previous day, suggests a bit of help and support with off field matters is exactly what will see ETH thrive, not cost him his job.