Erik ten Hag and Manchester United have decided to continue their partnership after a comprehensive end-of-season review.
According to Sky Sports, the season review, spanning over two weeks, involved discussions with other potential candidates for the managerial role.
The review ultimately concluded that Ten Hag should remain in charge, and the club has now entered negotiations to extend his contract.
His current contract is set to expire at the end of next season, with an option for the club to extend it by an additional year.
Despite United finishing a disappointing eighth in the Premier League, their worst performance in the league’s history, they managed to defeat Manchester City to claim the FA Cup—Ten Hag’s second trophy in two years.
“The team is progressing, and we are winning trophies. Two trophies in two years is not bad. Three finals is not bad, but we have to keep going. I’m not satisfied with it. We have to do better and if they don’t want me anymore, then I’ll go anywhere else to win trophies because that is what I have done my whole career,” Ten Hag stated.
Throughout the season, Ten Hag dealt with numerous injuries within the squad but still managed to secure Europa League qualification with the FA Cup victory at Wembley.
The review endorsed Ten Hag, recognizing his potential within the new sporting framework established by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, which has taken charge of football operations.
After much speculation, Erik ten Hag will continue as Manchester United’s manager following INEOS’ thorough end-of-season review.
Names like Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Thomas Frank, Kieran McKenna, and Gareth Southgate were linked to the role, but the club ultimately committed to Ten Hag.
The review process, more detailed than usual due to the new ownership structure, involved sounding out Tuchel, Southgate, and McKenna. This method is expected to be a norm moving forward.
Since becoming a minority shareholder in February, Ratcliffe’s INEOS has overseen major staff changes, with Jason Wilcox starting as technical director and Omar Berrada set to become the new chief executive this summer.
United’s review highlighted the significant achievement of winning two trophies in two seasons, especially the FA Cup victory over City.
Ten Hag’s dedication, professionalism, and the emergence of academy talents like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo under his guidance were crucial factors in the decision.
The review also considered the challenges posed by injuries and the integration of new signings like Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana, along with Mason Mount’s injury troubles last season.
“Remember, he did maintain through all of his talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he believed he would be the man to lead Manchester United forward, that he was under contract until next summer at least and he had no reason to believe he wasn’t going to be the manager,” an insider noted.
After the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, constructive discussions between the club and Ten Hag reviewed the past season and future possibilities.
Despite speaking to representatives of other managers, including Tuchel, McKenna, and Pochettino, the club concluded that Ten Hag should stay.
The club and Ten Hag have now entered negotiations over a contract extension.
“It’s a pleasant surprise for Erik ten Hag, he always knew it was touch and go whether he was going to keep his job at Old Trafford. He has been on holiday in Spain waiting patiently for contact from United, and they did contact him and told him the review was over and they wanted to stick with him,” an insider shared.
The complexity lies in Ten Hag having only one year left on his contract.
“When you’re a manager of the stature of Erik ten Hag, you need more security than that. This summer, if he had left United, he could have managed Ajax again and he could have managed Bayern Munich. If he had done that, he would have got the security of a three or four-year contract,” the insider added.
United are now holding talks to extend Ten Hag’s contract. “It’s not good enough for United to have a review and say ‘we’ve explored all eventualities and you’ll do for the time being.’ Ten Hag deserves more than that. He needs to be backed fully. That means giving him a contract and the security of a three or four year deal and that will send a message out to the fans, to the wider community and to the United squad that Ten Hag is here to stay, he’s the owners’ man and he is the one who calls the shots.”
With his new deal, Ten Hag will have no excuses, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken control of the club’s football operations. “With a new chief executive, a new sporting director, a new technical director, everything is in place for Ten Hag to be successful. No excuses. Obviously, United still need to work on their training ground and do up Old Trafford as well. But plans are in place to do that,” the insider concluded.
