A Premier League manager is being considered as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United
The strain on Dutch coach Erik ten Hag has increased since the start of the new season, with Manchester United struggling to generate consistent performances and suffering a succession of disappointing setbacks, including a recent 3-0 loss to rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag, who was hired by the Glazer family and United chief executive Richard Arnold in the summer of 2022 after a poor Premier League season, had an immediate success with a top-four finish and a League Cup victory in his first season. However, this term has seen a dramatic drop in pitch.
Despite the addition of several high-profile players under Ten Hag’s guidance, including goalkeeper Andre Onana and midfielder Mason Mount, United has had difficulties, with Onana making mistakes and Mount fighting for consistent starting opportunities.
As a result, pressure has risen on the 53-year-old coach, creating concerns about his future with the club. However, both the Glazers and Arnold have reiterated their support for Ten Hag, believing in his ability to turn around the team’s woes.
Meanwhile, the Glazers are in the process of relinquishing control of United’s sporting operations, while talks about Ratcliffe and INEOS’s potential involvement continue. Despite the adjustment,
Ratcliffe and other stakeholders maintain confident in Ten Hag’s leadership abilities, citing his track record at Ajax and his accomplishments in his initial season at United. They believe that the manager has partial responsibility for the team’s faults.
Ratcliffe’s upcoming decisions are expected to overhaul United’s footballing structure, perhaps altering the club’s sporting philosophy and transfer strategy.
Paul Mitchell is said to be a major candidate for the position of sporting director, as the club attempts to establish a long-term vision and identity.
This change towards a more sustainable method aims to achieve stability and success comparable to rival clubs Manchester City and Liverpool.
Despite the possibility of big changes behind the scenes, United is unlikely to make major moves in the January transfer window. Instead, the emphasis is on stability, with Ten Hag encouraged to focus on teaching and maximising the potential of the current squad.
Knee-jerk reactions need to be avoided as the club goes through an investigation conducted by Brailsford to assess the current functioning and assure long-term success.
Overall, the story of Ten Hag’s future at Manchester United highlights the intricacies and problems that the club faces as stakeholders navigate a moment of transition and seek to build a clear strategy for long-term success.
