Manchester United has decided to part ways with manager Erik ten Hag following the FA Cup final against Manchester City. This decision echoes the club’s move in 2016 when they dismissed Louis van Gaal despite an FA Cup victory. Even if Ten Hag manages to defeat City at Wembley, his position remains untenable.
This significant move, the most notable since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his associates at Ineos took a minority stake and assumed control of football operations last December, reflects United’s disappointing season. Finishing eighth in the Premier League, their lowest since 1990, the club felt compelled to make a change. Despite a potential Europa League spot hinging on the final, the hierarchy is keen to avoid making a decision based solely on a single match.
Ten Hag has struggled to maintain the team’s form and confidence this season, facing criticism over his tactics and player selections. High-profile signings like Antony and Rasmus Højlund have underperformed, and injuries to key players such as Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire have further hampered the squad. The turbulent season also saw United finish bottom of their Champions League group and suffer heavy defeats, including a 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth and a 4-0 thrashing by Crystal Palace.
Despite these setbacks, Ten Hag has highlighted the team’s potential, pointing to last season’s third-place finish and Carabao Cup win. He noted that winning two trophies in two years could be a significant achievement for the club, which has struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. Nonetheless, the club’s board appears determined to look for a new direction.
The search for Ten Hag’s successor is already underway, with Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, England’s Gareth Southgate, Graham Potter, and Brentford’s Thomas Frank all under consideration. The new manager will need to adapt to the new structure at United, which includes key figures like Sir Dave Brailsford, Jean-Claude Blanc, Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada, and Dan Ashworth in significant roles.
As United prepares for this transition, the club and its supporters hope the new leadership will restore the team to its former glory, aligning with the aspirations expressed by players like Bruno Fernandes, who emphasized his commitment to the club’s high standards and ambitions.
