Erik ten Hag Sacked as Manchester United Manager: What’s Next for the Club?
In a shocking turn of events, Manchester United has officially sacked Erik ten Hag as the club’s manager following a disappointing start to the 2024/2025 season. The Red Devils currently sit in 14th place in the Premier League, enduring their worst start to a campaign since the 1989/90 season. A 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday proved to be the final straw, leading to United’s decision to part ways with the Dutchman after more than two years in charge.
The sacking of Ten Hag comes as pressure had been mounting for weeks, with the club struggling in both domestic and European competitions. United has failed to win any of their three Europa League fixtures this season, drawing all three games, and suffered heavy defeats to Premier League rivals Liverpool and Tottenham.
The End of Ten Hag’s Era at Manchester United
Erik ten Hag was appointed as Manchester United manager in the summer of 2022, taking over from interim boss Ralf Rangnick. Expectations were high for Ten Hag, who had enjoyed great success with Ajax, leading the Dutch club to multiple Eredivisie titles and deep runs in the UEFA Champions League.
In his first season with United, Ten Hag managed to bring some stability to the squad. United secured a top-four finish, qualifying for the Champions League, and also won the Carabao Cup, their first major trophy since 2017. His philosophy of high-pressing football and nurturing young talent seemed to be a good fit for the club, and there were hopes that United would soon return to the top of English football.
Club statement: Erik ten Hag.#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 28, 2024
However, the 2024/2025 season began poorly, with inconsistent performances, injuries to key players, and tactical issues plaguing the team. United’s inability to pick up wins in the Europa League, combined with poor results in the Premier League, led to increased scrutiny of Ten Hag’s leadership.
Despite calls for patience from some fans and pundits, United’s board decided that a change was necessary to salvage the season. The club announced Ten Hag’s departure on October 28, 2024, ending his two-year tenure at Old Trafford.
Ruud van Nistelrooy to Take Temporary Charge
With Ten Hag now out, Manchester United has named former player and current assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy as the interim manager. Van Nistelrooy, a legendary striker for the club during the early 2000s, will oversee the first-team squad while United’s hierarchy begins the search for a permanent replacement.
Van Nistelrooy has been involved with the club’s coaching staff since his return to Old Trafford and is seen as a safe pair of hands to guide the team through this transitional period. His deep connection with the club and his knowledge of the squad make him a logical choice for interim manager, and fans will hope he can stabilize the team in the coming weeks.
However, Manchester United’s search for a new permanent manager has already begun, with several names being linked to the role.
Potential Candidates for Manchester United’s Next Manager
As soon as rumors of Ten Hag’s departure began circulating, several high-profile names were mentioned as potential replacements. One of the most prominent candidates is Thomas Tuchel, the former Chelsea and PSG manager. Tuchel, known for his tactical acumen and success in European competitions, was reportedly on United’s radar as a contingency plan in case Ten Hag was sacked. However, Tuchel has since signed a contract to become England’s national team manager starting in January 2025, ruling him out of the running.
Another surprising contender who has emerged is Xavi, the former Barcelona manager and club legend. Xavi left his post at Barcelona in the summer of 2024 and has been out of management since then. His name is reportedly being considered by Manchester United, with rumors that club officials recently held talks with Xavi’s representatives.
Xavi’s connection with current United chief executive Omar Berrada, who previously worked at Barcelona, has fueled speculation that the Spaniard could be in line for the job. While Xavi has no experience managing in the Premier League, he is fluent in English and is considered a rising star in the world of football management.
Other potential candidates include Zinedine Zidane, who has been linked with Manchester United in the past, and Roberto De Zerbi, who has impressed with his work at Brighton. Manchester United’s board is likely to conduct a thorough search for a new manager, and more names may emerge in the coming days and weeks.
What Went Wrong for Erik ten Hag?
While Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge of Manchester United showed promise, the 2024/2025 season quickly unraveled. Several factors contributed to his downfall:
- Inconsistent Performances: United struggled to find consistency, especially in the Premier League, where they suffered multiple defeats at home, including heavy losses to Liverpool and Tottenham. The team often looked disjointed, with tactical decisions being called into question.
- Injuries to Key Players: Injuries to important players such as Raphael Varane, Casemiro, and Jadon Sancho disrupted United’s season. Ten Hag’s inability to find suitable replacements or adapt the team’s tactics effectively was a major issue.
- Europa League Struggles: United’s poor form extended to Europe, where they failed to win any of their first three group-stage matches in the Europa League. Drawing all three games against teams they were expected to beat added to the mounting pressure on Ten Hag.
- Fan and Media Pressure: As the losses piled up, the pressure from fans and the media intensified. Manchester United is a club with high expectations, and the lack of success under Ten Hag led to growing calls for change.
11 points in 9 games and goal difference -3 for Manchester United in Premier League so far.
8 goals scored, 11 goals conceded. pic.twitter.com/G8Kv0e6Od6
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 27, 2024
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Manchester United?
With Erik ten Hag’s departure, Manchester United enters yet another period of transition. The immediate focus will be on stabilizing the team under Ruud van Nistelrooy’s temporary leadership while the search for a new permanent manager continues.
For fans, this marks another chapter in the club’s turbulent post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. While United has seen flashes of success, consistency has been elusive. The next managerial appointment will be crucial in determining whether United can once again compete at the highest level in English and European football.
As Manchester United navigates this uncertain period, one thing is clear: the club’s ambition remains as strong as ever
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