Manchester United reportedly make their final decision over the future of manager Erik ten Hag following a post-season review conducted by the club’s board.
Manchester United have reportedly made their final decision over the future of manager Erik ten Hag.
After winning the EFL Cup and finishing third in the Premier League in his first season at the club, Ten Hag endured a challenging 2023-24 campaign as his Red Devils side slumped to an eighth-placed finish in the top flight, but they did end the season on a high by winning the FA Cup, beating rivals Manchester City in the final.
Since that Wembley triumph at the end of May, Ten Hag’s future has been under review by Man United’s hierarchy, including minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe who has complete control of the club’s football operations.
Ten Hag has been on holiday in Ibiza with his family and is said to have grown increasingly frustrated with the delay over deciding his Old Trafford future, with the Dutchman concerned that the club could fall behind some of their rivals in the transfer market.
The Telegraph claims that the 54-year-old has been aware that Ratcliffe and INEOS have held talks with other managers and their representatives during their season-long review, with the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate, Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter all linked with the Old Trafford hotseat.
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Ten Hag to stay at Man United
There were widespread rumours prior to the FA Cup final, which somewhat overshadowed the spectacle of a Manchester derby final, claiming that Man United chiefs had come to the decision to part ways with Ten Hag at the end of the season.
However, according to The Athletic, the Red Devils’ post-season review culminated in a decision to keep the Dutchman, who has agreed to remain at Old Trafford.
Man United are said to have held talks with Ten Hag about his future on Tuesday and the preference of both parties was for his tenure as manager to continue.
Ten Hag is now in discussions with the club’s board over a contract extension, with his current deal on the red side of Manchester due to expire in June 2025.
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Why have Man United decided to stick with Ten Hag?
One of the main reasons why Man United have decided to remain with Ten Hag at the helm is the fact that no outstanding replacement for the Dutchman was found by the club’s hierarchy.
It is widely known that Ratcliffe and INEOS are admirers of England manager Southgate, but they knew that he would not be willing to either quit his role or even discuss his future heading into this summer’s European Championship – the Red Devils have subsequently ended their interest in the 53-year-old.
Former Bayern Munich boss Tuchel is said to have turned down the chance to take over at Old Trafford and has decided to take a break from football before plotting his next career move.
A potential swoop for Pochettino has been mooted, just weeks after his departure from Chelsea, and although it is thought that the Argentine would be keen on the Man United job, talks between both parties have never reached an advanced stage.
The same applies for both Potter and Roberto De Zerbi, whose links with replacing Ten Hag have ultimately fizzled out, while the Red Devils’ pursuit of Kieran McKenna was brought to a halt when the 38-year-old signed a contract extension at Ipswich Town last month.
Ten Hag is set to remain on holiday before returning to work ahead of Man United’s pre-season tour of the USA in July.