Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to stay at Old Trafford

LONDON – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will remain in the job for the next season and has entered into talks over a contract extension, British media reported on June 11.

The decision comes after a lengthy end-of-season review by the club’s board for the 2023-24 campaign, which finished on a high with a shock FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

Ten Hag’s contract runs until June 2025, with United having the option of extending it a further 12 months.

The Dutchman had come under increasing pressure after the Red Devils suffered their worst start to a season since 1962-63 with eight defeats in their first 15 matches in all competitions.

They ended up eighth in the Premier League – their lowest league finish – after 14 defeats in their 38 games and bowed out of the Champions League in the group phase.

Ten Hag’s job security had been the subject of speculation all season and many pundits believed the FA Cup final would be his last game with the team, win or lose.

Moments after

their thrilling 2-1 triumph,

the 54-year-old admitted he did not know what the future held for him, even as he had received the backing of the club’s owners all season.

“The only thing I am doing is preparing my team, developing my team and players. This is for me a project,” he said.

“When I took over it was a mess at United, and we are on our way to construct a team for the future. The team is developing, the team is winning and the team also plays to an identity.”

It was reported that the FA Cup victory, avenging the 2023 final loss to City, played a big part in the club keeping ten Hag.

In his two seasons in charge, United have played in three Wembley finals and lifted two trophies, having also won the League Cup in 2023 while finishing third in the league.

Ten Hag’s success in promoting talented youth players such as 19-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who is part of England’s Euro 2024 squad, and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, 19, was a factor as well.

The team’s revolving door of injuries last season was also taken into account for poor performances – reportedly more than 60 separate injuries and over 350 games missed collectively, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Media reports said that all eventualities – good and bad – were considered in the club’s post-season review and the preference was for ten Hag to remain in charge at Old Trafford.

United, led by minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group, did not make an official announcement about him staying, as he is still under contract and there is no need for a public statement unless he is sacked.

But it is also understood that a new deal will see his role changed from a manager to a head coach, as part of the restructuring of the club’s hierarchy in which ten Hag will now have less say in the transfer market.

Incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth will be making those decisions instead.

While the review was ongoing, Ineos had been interviewing other candidates for the managerial role, criticised by many as a disregard and a lack of respect to ten Hag while he is still employed.

Ratcliffe and his group were leaning towards a change of manager but were also said to be aware of fan backlash. Different online polls showed a huge majority of United supporters – ranging from 78 per cent to 84 per cent – wanted the Dutchman to stay.

Among coaches linked to the job as potential replacements was former Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel.

Ratcliffe was reported to have held talks with the 50-year-old last week before the German ruled himself out.

England manager Gareth Southgate, who is massively unpopular with United fans but is someone his fellow Briton Ratcliffe holds in high regard, was another top target. But #ineosout started trending when rumours were rife.

Others were Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter, Thomas Frank and Roberto de Zerbi. REUTERS, AFP