Manchester, (UK):- Dutch football manager Erik ten Hag has been sacked as Manchester United head coach putting to end his two-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford.
The club announced on Monday the departure of the former Ajax Manager, with his final game proving to be the 2-1 Premier League defeat to West Ham United on Sunday.
That result left the club 14th in the table, seven points off the Champions League qualification places after just three league wins from nine games and only four in 14 in all competitions.
“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,” the club statement posted on its website read in part.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.”
The club said they are now working on next steps with former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, recruited in the offseason to work alongside Ten Hag, having been asked to take charge on an interim basis with the rest of the management staff remaining in position for now.
“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.”
The club’s new owners INEOS had backed the Dutchman in the summer with a contract extension until June 2026 but he leaves with the club lying 14th in the Premier League contrary to last season when United finished eighth last season – their worst top-flight position since 1990 – but won the FA Cup to qualify for European football.
However, another hugely disappointing run of form to start the new season has prompted key decision-makers, including chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox, to recommend a change.
In Ten Hag’s first season at United, he guided them to a third-place finish and oversaw their Carabao Cup triumph, ending a six-year run without a trophy.
Last year, though, United struggled domestically and in Europe, suffering a group-stage exit from the Champions League, and only qualified for the Europa League this season by winning the FA Cup.
United had sounded out potential replacements including now England head coach Thomas Tuchel, newly-appointed USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino, former Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi, Brentford head coach Thomas Frank and Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna.
But at the end of a process led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford, the choice was made to move forward with Ten Hag.
It remains to be seen who will in the dugout as permanent coach of the club whose tenure post-Sir Alex Ferguson (their iconic manager) has always hit a dreadful end with no league in now over decade and over six managers all ending on bad spells with the club.
Currently, the front runners to replace Ten hag include Ruud Van Nistelrooy himself (currently interim), former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandes, and Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
