Sir JIM RATCLIFFE Finally Clear The Air In An Interview Why He Kept Erik Ten Hag As United Manager After Awful Season Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly addressed the swirling rumors about Erik ten Hag’s future amidst speculation of managerial changes. Despite United’s eighth-place finish and internal discussions with potential replacements like Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino, Fans are still skeptical about his reasons but hope it paves well for united
Following Manchester United’s FA Cup victory over Manchester City, it was announced after two and a half weeks that Erik ten Hag would continue as manager at Old Trafford, after a comprehensive end-of-season review.
The Dutch manager faced heavy scrutiny due to Manchester United’s poor eighth-place finish in the Premier League, their worst in history. This led INEOS, the club’s owners, to reportedly consult with several potential replacements for ten Hag, including well-known managers like Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino.
Despite these discussions, the decision was made to retain ten Hag. INEOS owner Ratcliffe explained this choice at The Times CEO Summit, emphasizing ten Hag’s coaching abilities. “Erik? Because he’s a good coach. He did remarkably well at Ajax and also had experience at Bayern Munich…” Ratcliffe’s comments were interrupted by a question on the importance of a coach to a team’s success.
Ratcliffe elaborated, “People often think the coach is everything, as was the case with Alex Ferguson. But in the past 11 seasons at Manchester United, we’ve had many coaches, some very capable, yet none succeeded. The root issue isn’t just the coach; it’s about the environment. Our focus is on management, practices, and the quality of people involved — areas that need attention at Manchester United, like any other business.”
Ratcliffe’s views align with his recent statements to Bloomberg, where he stated the coach “isn’t the central issue at Manchester United.” He added, “It’s a sports club that needs competitiveness and intensity but also support for its young players. Historically, it hasn’t had such an environment.”
Erik ten Hag, in an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS during the Euro 2024 match between England and Serbia, commented on his future at Manchester United. He said, “Manchester United and I still need to finalize a new contract. It’s not a simple process; there’s much to discuss. United mentioned their talks with Thomas Tuchel but decided I am their preferred manager.” He mentioned a meeting with club officials in Ibiza, stating, “Manchester United interrupted my holiday; they unexpectedly showed up in Ibiza to meet with me.” He added, “INEOS took their time. They are new to football, and reviewing the season is normal. They spoke with several candidates. In Holland, this approach is unheard of and even prohibited. But in England, the rules and customs differ. A thorough evaluation is logical, and conclusions were drawn from that. The new leadership is experiencing football for the first time.”
This situation at Manchester United highlights the complexities of club management, balancing managerial stability, performance reviews, and the changing dynamics within a top-tier football club.
