Erik ten Hag has been sacked | Image: 2024 Getty Images
Manchester United: Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited
By Valentine Amanze
Manchester United management has, at last, sacked the club’s manager, Erik ten Hag, after a dismal start to the season.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new football structure, which kept Ten Hag in charge after winning the FA Cup, parted ways with the manager on Monday October 28, 2024, just five months after that success at Wembley.
The straw that broke the camel’s back was the United’s 2-1 loss against West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday, which represented their fourth loss in nine league games.
The management confirmed the sack of Ten Hag in a statement on Monday.
It stated: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”
United is 14th in the Premier League table with a -3 goal difference, having lost four of their opening nine league fixtures.
Also read: Manchester United players’ rating in woeful 3-0 defeat by Tottenham
Their league record and failure to win any of their three Europa League games from winning positions have additionally been cited behind the decision to dismiss Ten Hag.
Recall that Ten Hag was heavily backed in the summer transfer window and signed Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte but results were poor.
The Dutchman’s spending in time charge of United surpassed £600 million and he failed to build on an excellent first season, which saw Manchester United finish third and win the Carabao Cup.
Ten Hag oversaw a stunning FA Cup victory against Manchester City at Wembley and Ineos decided to extend his contract, despite compelling evidence suggesting he should have been relieved of his duties after 2023/24 season.
Ratcliffe made radical changes after acquiring a minority stake in United and there was mixed reaction to keeping Ten Hag after he oversaw the most defeats in all competitions since 1977/78.
Although United won the FA Cup last term, they finished eighth in the Premier League, which was their lowest-ever finish in the top-flight, and recorded a minus goal difference.
Meanwhile, the former Barcelona legend and coach, Xavi Hernandez, may be considered to succeed Ten Hag following speculation from Football Espana.
Football Espana
buttressed the report, with a photograph Xavi Hernandez’s wife, Nuria Cunillera, posted on Sunday.
She posted Xavi with his children playing; his son, Dan, appeared in a Manchester United shirt.
It has been reported in recent weeks that United have been in contact with Xavi on multiple occasions to see if he would be interested in replacing the Dutchman.
United fans may want to take any thought of Xavi taking over with a pinch of salt though, as the latest report from Barcelona is that he remains set on taking a year-long sabbatical from coaching after his time in charge of Barcelona.
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