Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag remains confident that he will keep his job at Old Trafford, as he prepares to have discussions with club chiefs.
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag remains confident that he will keep his job at Old Trafford despite a turbulent start to the 2024-25 campaign.
The club’s minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox and football board member Sir Dave Brailsford were all in attendance for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
Man United claimed a welcome point at Villa Park and came the closest to snatching all three in the second period, with a free kick from Bruno Fernandes striking the crossbar.
The result has left the Red Devils down in 14th spot in the Premier League table, and Ten Hag’s future at the helm is in severe doubt due to the team’s issues this term.
However, Ten Hag has insisted that he has not been told by club chiefs that he is under pressure, with the Dutchman still confident that he is viewed as the right person to lead the team.
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Ten Hag says communication is “very open” with Man United hierarchy
“So I don’t have any idea that is different,” Ten Hag told the Manchester Evening News when asked about his future, “because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.
“I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you. We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”
Ratcliffe refused to publicly back Ten Hag when questioned on the managerial situation at the end of last week, and he also said that it was ‘not his call’ when asked about a potential dismissal.
When asked by BBC Sport whether he had faith in Ten Hag, Ratcliffe responded: “I don’t want to answer that question.. .I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call, it’s the management team that’s running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.
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Ratcliffe did not publicly back Ten Hag last week
“But that team that’s running Manchester United has only been together since June or July. They weren’t there in January, February, March or April – [CEO] Omar [Berrada], [Sporting Director] Dan Ashworth – they only arrived in July
“They’ve only been there… you can count it in weeks almost – they’ve not been there a long time so they need to take stock and make some sensible decisions.
“Our objective is very clear – we want to take Manchester United back to where it should be, and it’s not there yet, obviously – that’s very clear.”
Should Ten Hag be relieved of his duties, it is understood that Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is currently an assistant manager at Old Trafford, would be placed in charge on an interim basis.
Man United will be bidding to record just their third Premier League victory of the campaign when they welcome Brentford to Old Trafford after the international break.