Football
Erik Ten Hag Sacked as Manchester United Manager Following Disappointing Start to the Season
Erik Ten Hag has been dismissed from his role as manager of Manchester United, marking a significant turning point for the club after a lacklustre start to the 2024 season. The decision was made public on Monday morning, just one day after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to West Ham United left United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League. This performance reflected a broader struggle, with the team securing only three wins in nine league matches and four in 14 across all competitions.
Ten Hag’s tenure, which began in April 2022, has seen some success, including two domestic trophies: the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. However, a dismal eighth-place finish last season—the club’s worst league position since 1990—cast a shadow over his achievements. Following the FA Cup victory against Manchester City, the club had initially opted to extend Ten Hag’s contract, which was set to expire in 2025. However, a poor start to the current season triggered reconsideration from the United hierarchy.
The club’s statement following Ten Hag’s departure expressed gratitude for his contributions and wished him well for the future. Meanwhile, former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been asked to take interim charge of the team as the club begins the search for a permanent replacement.
Christiano Ronaldo famously said in an interview about Erik Ten Hag, “I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me.”. Some scathing reactions and commentary have already begun reviving the debate that riled headlines when Christiano Ronaldo left Manchester United.
Every single word that @Cristiano told me about Ten Hag in our explosive interview was born out by events.
He was an over-promoted, delusional, disrespectful, and thoroughly mediocre manager who couldn’t handle world class talent or run a club that size. pic.twitter.com/vpcPzm8zke— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 28, 2024
Key decision-makers at Manchester United, including chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth, had reportedly been discussing Ten Hag’s future, particularly after the international break, as the team’s form continued to falter. The hierarchy’s decision to part ways with Ten Hag, particularly after a narrow defeat, signals a growing impatience among the club’s leadership as they aim to return to competitive form.
Under Erik Ten Hag, United had demonstrated some flashes of brilliance, finishing third in his first season and securing silverware. However, the optimism was short-lived, with last year’s group-stage exit from the Champions League dampening spirits. Despite substantial investment in new players, including over £200 million spent during the summer transfer window, performance levels remained alarmingly low.
The club’s challenges have raised questions about its direction and management structure. Following Ten Hag’s sacking, the focus will shift to appointing a successor who can restore Manchester United to its former glory. Potential candidates under consideration include various high-profile coaches, as the club seeks to find a leader capable of revitalizing a struggling squad and re-establishing its status among Europe’s elite.
As Manchester United prepares for its next match against Leicester City in the League Cup, the club is poised for a crucial transition period in hopes of rekindling its competitive edge.
