Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been told to stay after a thorough performance review of the season. The review considered various factors, including the team’s structure and potential replacements for Ten Hag. Changes are being made at Old Trafford, and the big question is whether the manager and owners can find common ground to make their partnership work in the long term.
United’s new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and United director Sir Dave Brailsford began their assessment of the club’s inner workings in January. They were not impressed with the situation they inherited. Ratcliffe emphasized that finding the right solution would take time and cannot be rushed. The plan was to bring in new personnel, such as Jason Wilcox as technical director and Dan Ashworth as football director, to strengthen the club’s structure. The arrival of Gary O’Driscoll from Arsenal as head of sports medicine also aimed to address the team’s injury woes.
Ten Hag’s position was in jeopardy after a series of poor results, including dropping points from leading positions and a humiliating performance in the FA Cup semi-finals against Coventry. Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher even described United as one of the “worst-coached sides” he had ever seen. It was reported that prospective replacements were being considered, but Ten Hag’s victory in the FA Cup final and his positive relationship with the fans ultimately saved his job.
Transfers will be a crucial aspect for Ten Hag moving forward. Ratcliffe believes that recruitment decisions should involve a wider leadership team, with Ten Hag having a veto over signings. However, recent big-money signings at United have not lived up to expectations, which strengthens Ratcliffe’s argument for a more comprehensive approach to transfers. The club is willing to listen to offers for most of its first-team squad, but disagreements over senior players’ futures could arise due to budget constraints.
Ten Hag’s future is still uncertain, especially considering that other managers were approached about his job. Talks about a contract extension will begin soon, but the Dutchman faces challenges. The post-Euros status of England boss Gareth Southgate, who has a positive relationship with Brailsford, adds to the uncertainty. Some argue that there is no need to rush contract discussions and suggest evaluating results before making a decision.
The next steps for United include pre-season training in July, during which Ten Hag is not expected to speak to external media about his situation. Winning the FA Cup made Ten Hag only the fourth manager in United’s history to win a major trophy in successive seasons, joining the ranks of Sir Alex Ferguson. However, whether Ten Hag can match Ferguson’s success remains to be seen.