Erik ten Hag may opt to cut ties with Manchester United before they have the chance to do so with him.
Upon the culmination of the 2022/2023 campaign, where United were fresh off the back of ending a six-year trophy drought, finishing third and reaching the FA Cup final, it looked as though the Dutchman’s position in the dugout was resoundingly safe – he’d earnt some valuable credit in the bank.
However, this season’s tumultuous affairs have Ten Hag now on dangerously thin ice, with speculation over his future growing each week as we approach the end of his sophomore campaign.
From the moment Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority stake in the club was finally ratified, the question on everyone’s lips was whether the new co-owner would choose to continue with Ten Hag at the reins long-term as he looks to embark on a new era at Old Trafford and restore the club to its former glories.
Therefore, reports have suggested that Ten Hag is currently on borrowed time and that the side’s results have formed a somewhat of an audition for Ratcliffe to determine whether he’s the man suitable for the mammoth task at hand.
Ten Hag: Back me or lose me
The former Ajax coach is well aware of the rumours surrounding his future, and as per The Mirror, he is considering leaving United prematurely unless he is given assurances over his position by INEOS and Co.
Simon Mullock writes: “Ten Hag is fighting for his job after a miserable Premier League campaign and an early Champions League exit. And the FA Cup semi-final clash with Coventry is a must-win game for the Dutchman.
“But sources close to Ten Hag believe he will walk out at the end of the season if he doesn’t get assurances from Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group about their commitment to him.”
