The ever-reliable David Ornstein has today confirmed that Manchester United have sacked Erik ten Hag.
Indeed, the Dutchman’s tenure is poised to come to an end in his third season despite a two-year contract extension being signed at the beginning of July.
Ornstein states that Ten Hag was informed by club chiefs this morning – less than 24 hours after Sunday’s dismal defeat to West Ham United, which left the club 14th-placed in the Premier League table.
Similarly, last week’s 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce meant that United had failed to win any of their three Europa League group-stage games thus far. As a result, they sit 21st in the new-look standings.
Assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy is poised to take the reins on an interim basis, with Ten Hag’s coaching staff all expected to retain their roles for the foreseeable future.
Ten Hag sacked as United manager after two full seasons
During his two-and-a-half-year tenure, the 54-year-old won two trophies in the forms of the Carabao Cup (2022/2023) and the FA Cup (2023/2024). However, he registered the club’s worst-ever Premier League finish on record after United were positioned eighth-placed upon the culmination of last season.
Little changed over the summer, either, as the start to the current term is United’s worst of the Premier League era. They have won only three of their nine matches played – drawing two and losing four. Their only other win came in a third-round EFL Cup tie vs League One opposition Barnsley on September 17.
It remains to be seen which manager will be chosen to succeed Ten Hag. Talks were held with Thomas Tuchel over the summer, but he has since taken over the England job. Thomas Frank (Brentford), Mauricio Pochettino (United States), Roberto De Zerbi (Olympique Marseille) and Kieran McKenna (Ipswich Town) were also previously of interest to INEOS executives.
United are next in action on Wednesday evening in a Carabao Cup clash with Leicester City at Old Trafford.
Yup, it’s all over the wires. Que sera, sera. It’s a shame we can’t sack a bunch of players, too, in order to be completely fair. Can we at least dock their pay? Maybe we can put the players through “boot camp” to re-calibrate their attitudes (because we’ve all seen them not giving 100%).
I guess many of us knew this was coming. I’m a little sad – life isn’t always fair – but tough decisions have to be taken. Fundamentally, Ten Hag was paid to get results, which weren’t being achieved, and the trajectory was down. Something had to change and you simply can’t change out the squad.
So, is Van Nistelrooy the best interim choice? I honestly don’t know enough to say. Good luck to him, though.
I just heard a Youtube commentator talking about who will be the new permanent manager, with the theory that INEOS already have someone lined up. Regarding Van Nistelrooy only being interim, he said (if I recall correctly), “they’ll want to make sure Ten Hag’s body is cold before they bring in the new manager”.
Harsh but perceptive, I think.
Most of us know a day like this will come since the result are not coming, hope most of the uncommitted player will also throw of our club, best wishes to Ten Hag
I can’t blame Ten hag only for bad performance,even the players must be blamed. For example, chances missed in yesterday’s match , we need to blame players not Coach.