Erik ten Hag Sacked by Manchester United

Erik ten Hag Sacked by Manchester United After Tough Start, with Ruud van Nistelrooy Stepping In as Interim Manager.

October 28, 2024
3:47 pm

Manchester United has officially said goodbye to manager Erik ten Hag after a rough start to the season, leaving the team sitting 14th in the Premier League. Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was Ten Hag’s assistant, is now the interim manager while the club looks for a permanent head coach.

Ten Hag’s time at the club had its ups and downs. He was brought on in April 2022 and led United to some domestic wins, including the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. But with only three wins from nine league matches this season and a disappointing run in the Europa League, the club decided it was time for a change.

In a statement, the club thanked Ten Hag for his efforts: “Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies. We appreciate everything he’s done and wish him all the best for the future.” They also confirmed that Van Nistelrooy would take over as interim head coach, with support from the current coaching staff, while they search for a permanent manager.

According to The Athletic, Ten Hag will receive £20 million in compensation due to a contract extension he signed in July, which kept him at the club until 2026. This severance package stands out against the club’s recent cost-cutting measures, including letting go of around 250 staff members and removing Sir Alex Ferguson from his ambassador role.

Despite spending £200 million in the transfer market last summer, the team has struggled to make real progress this season. United executives felt that the results and performances just didn’t meet the club’s standards, with stagnation clear even before Ten Hag’s contract extension.

The club’s financial situation has also raised eyebrows. This season, United officials even asked Manchester City players to show up at a Ballon d’Or event on their behalf, highlighting the tough financial reality they’re facing.

As they search for a permanent manager, several big names have popped up, including former England manager Gareth Southgate and ex-Barcelona boss Xavi. However, Southgate recently shot down the rumors, saying he wouldn’t take another role this year. United’s top target was initially ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel, but he’s now busy managing England, so he’s off the table.

Erik ten Hag’s departure wraps up another chapter in United’s ongoing journey for stability and success. With Van Nistelrooy in charge, the club is hoping to find their groove and push for a stronger second half of the season.