Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has agreed to a contract extension with the club until 2026. Ten Hag, who joined United from Ajax in 2022, has had a successful tenure so far, winning two trophies in two years at Old Trafford.
Reflecting on his time at the club, Ten Hag expressed his pride in the progress they have made since he took charge. Under his guidance, United finished third in the Premier League in his first season and ended their six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup. However, the second season proved to be more challenging as United finished eighth in the league and were eliminated from the Champions League group stages.
Despite the difficulties faced last season, Ten Hag was able to secure his job with a crucial victory against Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Following this victory, the club conducted a performance review and considered potential replacements for the Dutchman. Ultimately, it was decided that Ten Hag deserved to continue as manager and work under a new, improved structure.
Since co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in December, United has undergone significant changes in its board structure. Ratcliffe has taken a 27.7% stake in the club and brought in Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford, and Dan Ashworth in senior positions. With this strengthened football leadership team in place, the club is looking forward to working closely with Ten Hag to achieve their shared ambitions.
Sporting director Ashworth emphasized the need for consistency and stated that the players and staff have already shown their ability to compete and win at the highest level. Now, they aim to do it more consistently and fulfill the club’s ambitions.
Ten Hag’s contract extension is a testament to the belief that the club has in his abilities and his potential to lead them to further success. With a strong support system behind him and an emphasis on consistency, Ten Hag will have the opportunity to continue building on the progress made in his first two years at the club. It will be interesting to see how he navigates the challenges ahead and strives to bring more trophies to Manchester United.