Manchester United have confirmed the sacking of manager Erik ten Hag following a disappointing start to the season that leaves the club languishing in 14th place in the Premier League. The Dutchman’s final game at the helm was Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham, extending United’s dismal run to just three wins from their first nine league matches.
The club has appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined as Ten Hag’s assistant last year, as interim manager while the search for a permanent head coach is underway. Van Nistelrooy will take charge immediately, hoping to rally the team after a troubled spell under Ten Hag’s guidance.
United’s poor league form has been matched by struggles in Europe, where the team sits 21st out of 36 in the Europa League standings, having failed to secure a win in their opening three fixtures. Club sources have revealed that the decision to part ways with Ten Hag was a “difficult but unanimous” one, made by the board following months of underwhelming performances and lackluster results.
Ten Hag, who joined United in the summer of 2022, made a strong start by leading the club to a third-place Premier League finish and a Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle last season. The following year, he even secured an unexpected FA Cup victory against Manchester City. However, this season has seen United struggle for form, winning just one of their last eight games across all competitions, prompting the board to take decisive action.
The club has undergone extensive changes recently, with new management under Ineos after British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover. The restructuring included appointments of Dan Ashworth as sporting director, Omar Berrada as chief executive, and Jason Wilcox as technical director. Despite these changes, Ten Hag failed to deliver the improvements the board had hoped for, and the club’s hierarchy decided continuity was no longer viable.
Ratcliffe, speaking on the challenges United have faced since the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, emphasized the need for a stable environment conducive to success. “In the past 11 years, Manchester United have had a lot of coaches, and nobody has been successful in that environment,” Ratcliffe said in an interview earlier this year, alluding to deeper structural issues within the club.
Fans and analysts alike now speculate who will step into the long-term managerial role at Old Trafford. Potential candidates include well-known European managers and emerging talents from the domestic league. For now, all eyes are on Van Nistelrooy as he attempts to steer United out of the relegation zone and reignite the team’s season.
Manchester United’s decision to dismiss Ten Hag highlights the continued volatility in their search for stability and success in the post-Ferguson era. With yet another managerial shift, supporters hope the club’s latest restructuring efforts will finally bring back the glory days.
