Erik ten Hag has reportedly been left ‘devastated’ by Manchester United’s decision to part ways with him only nine games into the season.
His former teammate, Hans Kraay Jr, said of the Dutch coach (via Soccernews NL): “I understand that he is getting €17m and then people say: ‘he will go somersaulting through Manchester’. No, he is completely, completely devastated, he is completely ruined.”
In truth, it came as a surprise to the majority of supporters that Ten Hag was still at the helm when the season campaign began back in August.
Most had expected that he would be relieved of his duties after overseeing the club’s worst-ever Premier League finish on record (eighth-placed). However, an unexpected triumph in the FA Cup final against Manchester City seemingly prompted INEOS chiefs to perform a U-turn on their decision, despite sounding out potential alternatives throughout the summer.
Then, when United picked up where they left off in 2024/2025 with continued lacklustre showings and results, the key decision-makers knew it was time to call it quits. Ten Hag left United 14th-placed in the Premier League table, having scored the third-fewest goals (eight) of any club.
United also sit 21st in the new-look Europa League standing, so it’s safe to say Ruben Amorim has his work cut out when he officially takes the reins after the mid-November international break.
Ten Hag’s successor was pursued hours after his dismissal
Indeed, the 39-year-old is expected to complete a notice period with Sporting Lisbon before he departs for Manchester next month. It means that he will come toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Tuesday evening in a Champions League group-stage tie, while their first Manchester derby meeting is penned in for December 15.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will therefore take charge of fixtures against Chelsea (PL), PAOK (EL) and Leicester City (PL) before departing his former club.
Shame the way it panned out in the end, but surely Ten Hag must have seen it coming, too much of a roller-coaster ride. ‘Hooray: we’ve won – corner turned?’ Followed inevitably by ‘nope – back where we started’. Too many sub-standard signings, strange treatment of Rashford & Diallo, it had to end.