Manchester United have sacked Erik ten Hag following a dismal start to the 2024/25 season.
The Red Devils today (Monday, October 28) released a statement, which read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”
The Dutchman, 54, was close to being fired last term after having overseen a dreadful Premier League campaign, which saw United finish eighth in the table. However, Ten Hag managed to win the FA Cup in May when United upset Manchester City in a shock 2-0 victory, which bought him time.
While Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS-led board at Old Trafford had briefed Ten Hag would be sacked regardless of the result at Wembley, they changed their minds, opting to instead give him a new one-year contract extension and back a summer spending spree. However, following humiliating defeats to arch-rivals Liverpool and Tottenham, and with United 14th in the table following their worst ever start to a Premier League season, they today fired Ten Hag, after United fell to a controversial 2-1 defeat away at West Ham on Sunday, which ultimately proved to be the final nail in the coffin.
(Image: Getty Images)
It has been reported United are considering replacing Ten Hag with Barcelona legend Xavi. The boss, who is currently out of work, is one of a number of candidates United admire, with Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi and ex-England manager Gareth Southgate also understood to be on that shortlist.
Inzaghi is said to have rejected United too. The Italian would likely not depart Inter, at least not right now given their chances of defending their Serie A title as well as the fact they are competing in the Champions League whilst United are in the Europa League.
Then in the case of Southgate, for all his laudable man-management abilities, it remains to be seen whether or not the ex-England boss is tactically up to the job of managing a top Premier League outfit. Southgate’s last Premier League job was in charge of Middlesbrough. He was sacked just months after they were relegated from the Premier League during the 2008/09 season and has made clear he wants a break from management, but could yet be lured to Old Trafford.
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One name however closer to home who could take up the mantle is ex-United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. Van Nistelrooy, who has taken interim charge, was brought in to be part of Ten Hag’s coaching staff this past summer, and has previous experience as a number one having managed PSV between 2022 to 2023.
Arriving at Old Trafford back in the summer of 2022, Ten Hag had to do plenty of firefighting during his first season in charge of United. He axed Cristiano Ronaldo from the first team squad, and won a trophy in February 2023 when United beat Newcastle United 2-0 at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final.
And he also managed to guide the club back into the Champions League, with United finishing third in the Premier League that season behind Arsenal and title winners City. However, even a positive first campaign overall was marred by a record 7-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
(Image: Getty Images)
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His second year at Old Trafford was blighted by injuries to key players, but woeful results domestically and in Europe left Ten Hag on the brink as the season drew to a close. United finished eighth in the Premier League with a negative goal difference, their worst position since 1989–90.
The Red Devils also recorded their worst-ever performance in the Champions League group stage, finishing bottom of their group with just four points, behind Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray. Despite this, they excelled in the FA Cup and it prolonged Ten Hag’s time in Manchester.
Ten Hag will perhaps best be remembered for his time at Old Trafford for spending ludicrous sums of money on some of his former Ajax players, with the £85m signing of Brazilian winger Antony likely to go down as arguably one of the worst transfers of all time. In total he spent nearly £600m during his time at the club.