Manchester United have sacked manager Erik ten Hag a day after the Dutchman oversaw their fourth Premier League defeat of a dire start to his third season in charge.
The end of Ten Hag’s two-and-a-half years in charge came with a 2-1 defeat at West Ham on Sunday, leaving United with three wins and four losses from their first nine league games and four victories in 14 in all competitions.
Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined as a coach for Ten Hag during the summer, has taken over on an interim basis, supported by the existing backroom staff.
BREAKING: Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager 🔴
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. pic.twitter.com/tngiz0WG0R
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 28, 2024
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Man United ‘grateful’ to Ten Hag
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future,” a club statement said.
United announced in April 2022 that Ten Hag would join them from Ajax, where he won the Dutch title three times and KNVB Cup twice.
The former Go Ahead Eagles, Bayern Munich reserves and Utrecht boss won the EFL Cup in his first season in 2023-24, although United were not credible title challengers, finishing 14 points behind champions Manchester City and nine behind second-placed Arsenal.
“I’m really disappointed.”
Stephen Warnock says that Erik ten Hag’s results at Ajax ‘weren’t seen’ at Manchester United at all 😮 pic.twitter.com/F1926v54Vc
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 28, 2024
Ten Hag record
Worse was to come in 2023-24, when United’s eighth-placed position was their lowest since 1989-90, accompanied by finishing bottom of a Champions League group containing Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray, winning once during the group stage.
Widespread reports before United’s surprise win over City in last season’s FA Cup final had suggested Ten Hag would be sacked regardless of the result, but the Ineos Group, who finalised their takeover of the club’s footballing operations in February, triggered a one-year extension in his contract in July.
The 54-year-old, who has seen little return on the £86 million he used to make winger Antony the second-most expensive signing in United’s history in September 2022, spent more than £200m in the summer but could not inspire a sustained upturn in performances and results.
“It’s just not good enough for a club of that size and that magnitude.”
Sue Smith on Manchester United’s lack of ‘consistency’ in the Premier League so far this season 😬 pic.twitter.com/RMEkm7qVmx
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 28, 2024
United results
A 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion was followed by 3-0 thrashings at home to Liverpool and Tottenham, as well as draws with Twente, Porto and Fenerbahce in the Europa League group stage.
After Jarrod Bowen’s 92nd-minute penalty gave West Ham victory against his team, Ten Hag reiterated his belief that injuries and refereeing decisions held considerable responsibility for the 20-time champions’ dismal form.
Those words may have come across as excuses to United’s new footballing executives, including sporting director Dan Ashworth, chief executive Omar Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox and Ineos head of sport Sir Dave Brailsford.
“I deny and ignore that Spurs game because the red card was overturned” 🗣️
Erik ten Hag says he totally ignores the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham because of the Bruno Fernandes red card and fact it was overturned 🔴 pic.twitter.com/IEFHRltkng
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 25, 2024
Next Man United manager
Less than four months after handing him his new deal, Ten Hag’s bosses are now considering the first managerial appointment of a takeover they hope will make United contenders again.
Former Bayern Munich and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel had been strongly linked with the job before being named as England’s new manager earlier this month, while the man Tuchel will succeed, Gareth Southgate, is another possibility.
Ex-Barcelona manager Xavi, Brentford manager Thomas Frank and Graham Potter, who has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in April 2023, are also among the potential candidates.
