Manchester United has officially parted ways with Erik ten Hag after a poor start to the season. The decision follows their recent 2-1 defeat to West Ham, which left United in 14th place in the Premier League, with only three wins out of nine games. The club has also struggled in the Europa League, sitting at 21st among 36 teams due to three consecutive draws.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, previously Ten Hag’s assistant, has been appointed as interim manager. According to the club, Van Nistelrooy will manage the team “while a permanent head coach is recruited.” The announcement was made after Ten Hag met with Chief Executive Omar Berrada and Sporting Director Dan Ashworth at the Carrington training ground.
Despite Ten Hag’s success in his first season, the club’s management stated this decision was unanimous, although challenging. Manchester United’s captain Bruno Fernandes thanked Ten Hag on social media, expressing gratitude for the moments they shared.
Reaction from United’s Stars and Pundits
Fernandes, appointed club captain by Ten Hag in 2023, urged fans to remember the positive moments under Ten Hag’s leadership. “Despite recent struggles, I hope fans will keep the good things he brought to the club in mind,” he posted.
Former captain Gary Neville remarked that Ten Hag’s departure felt inevitable, calling it “a matter of time,” given the poor performance with new signings and lackluster results. Similarly, ex-England captain Rio Ferdinand praised Van Nistelrooy’s appointment, calling it an ideal opportunity for him to step up as interim manager.
Match of the Day’s Gary Lineker pointed out that United’s stability issues have persisted since British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe invested in the club earlier this year. Lineker noted that the club initially pursued other managerial options before settling on Ten Hag.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer agreed, suggesting it was evident for some time that the club’s management was preparing for a change.
Analyzing Ten Hag’s Journey at Manchester United
Ten Hag’s first season showed promise, with early setbacks followed by victories, including a Carabao Cup win and a solid third-place league finish. The FA Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Manchester City, was a high point. However, his second season faltered with United finishing in eighth place – their lowest Premier League finish in history.
Despite an FA Cup final win against Manchester City, Ten Hag’s team struggled to maintain form, leading to growing pressure. Although emboldened by a contract extension, Ten Hag’s vision did not translate to consistent results. Draws against top teams, compounded by losses, left the club’s board with little choice but to make a change.
Following the October international break, the club’s board decided to part ways with Ten Hag, marking the end of his two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford.
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