Manchester United have parted ways with manager Erik ten Hag in a decisive move following a series of disappointing results.
The final straw came after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against West Ham United, which left the Red Devils languishing in 14th place in the Premier League standings.
Poor Performance
The club’s domestic form has been particularly concerning, with only three victories secured from their opening nine league fixtures.
The team’s European campaign has been equally disappointing, with United currently positioned 21st among 36 teams in the Europa League.
Their lackluster performance is highlighted by three consecutive draws in their opening matches, failing to secure a single victory in the competition.
Interim Leadership
Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined the club’s coaching staff as Ten Hag’s assistant in the previous summer, has been appointed as interim manager.
The club officially stated that Van Nistelrooy would lead the team while a permanent head coach is recruited.
According to club insiders, while the decision was challenging, it received unanimous support from the board. Ten Hag was officially notified of his termination during a Monday morning meeting.
This development comes despite the club having activated a one-year extension to his contract following their FA Cup final appearance in May.
Ten Hag’s Legacy
The 54-year-old Dutch manager, who arrived from Ajax in summer 2022, achieved notable success in his first season. He guided United to a third-place Premier League finish and secured the club’s first trophy in six years with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the 2023 Carabao Cup final.
The team also reached the FA Cup final, ultimately “losing 2-1” to Manchester City.
British billionaire Ratcliffe, who recently invested in the club, “told BBC Sport in February” about the deeper issues at United:
“In the past 11 years, Manchester United have had a lot of coaches and nobody has been successful in that environment. That says to me there is something wrong with the environment.”
Structural Changes
Following Ratcliffe’s investment, Ineos assumed control of football operations at Old Trafford, implementing significant structural changes.
These included appointing Dan Ashworth as sporting director, Omar Berrada as chief executive, and Jason Wilcox as technical director.
Despite the club’s desire for stability during this transition period, Ten Hag’s recent record of just one win in eight matches across all competitions proved unsustainable.
The decision marks United’s search for their sixth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, highlighting the ongoing challenges in finding long-term stability at one of football’s most storied clubs.
