ERIK TEN HAG EXTENDS MANCHESTER UNITED CONTRACT

Erik Ten Hag has signed a contract extension as Manchester United manager until 2026, following intense speculation about his future in the job following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS purchasing a minority stake in the club.

 

Ten Hag’s future had been in doubt after a disappointing season which saw United finish just eighth in the Premier League, although they did finish the season by beating neighbours Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

 

An internal review was then conducted, after which it was decided Ten Hag would remain at the club amidst sweeping changes which have seen CEO Omar Berrada, Technical Director Jason Wilcox and Sporting Director Dan Ashworth all arrive at the club.

 

Statements from Ten Hag and Ashworth

 

A statement from Ten Hag on the club’s website read: “I am very pleased to have reached agreement with the club to continue working together. Looking back at the past two years, we can reflect with pride on two trophies and many examples of progression from where we were when I joined.”

 

He continued: “However, we must also be clear that there is still lots of hard work ahead to reach the levels expected of Manchester United, which means challenging for English and European titles.”

 

Ashworth, who arrived this week from Newcastle United, said: “With two trophies in the past two seasons, Erik has reinforced his record as one of the most consistently successful coaches in Europe.”

 

On the club’s review, he said: “While the club’s review of last season highlighted areas for improvement, it reached a clear conclusion that Erik was the best partner to work with in driving up standards and outcomes.”

 

What has Ten Hag achieved at United?  

 

Erik Ten Hag arrived at Manchester United in the summer of 2022 following five years at Ajax, following a turbulent season which had seen Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick both have interim spells in charge following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

 

In the 2022-23 season, United finished third in the Premier League and won the Carabao Cup, beating Newcastle United in the final. However, they lost the FA Cup final to Manchester City and reached the Quarter Finals of the Europa League.

 

The 2023-24 season was largely disappointing. United went out of the Champions League in the Group Stage and their Carabao Cup defence was ended in the Fourth Round by Newcastle. Their eighth placed finish in the Premier League was their lowest in the Premier League era. However, they did gain revenge against Manchester City in the repeat FA Cup final.

 

What have been Ten Hag’s strengths?

 

In spite of on field results, Ten Hag has earned praise for how he has dealt with off field issues, taking a firm stance on Cristiano Ronaldo after his infamous interview with Piers Morgan, as well as Jadon Sancho following his social media post criticising Ten Hag. There has also been legal issues surrounding Mason Greenwood and Antony, the former of which precedes Ten Hag’s time at the club.

 

Ten Hag has also been praised for how he has developed youth, with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo both enjoying first team breakthroughs under the Dutchman. Both are now representing their countries in the Copa America and Euro 2024 respectively, just two years after being in the side that won the FA Youth Cup.

 

What happens next?

 

With the board structure in place and Ten Hag’s future now tied down, there is also likely to be changes to his backroom staff. There have been reports that Mitchell Van der Gaag and Steve McClaren could leave the club, to be replaced by Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake.

 

It is no exaggeration to say that this is a summer of revolution at Old Trafford ahead of the new season starting at home to Fulham on Friday 16 August. Plenty has already changed- and INEOS are not finished yet.

2024-07-04T16:27:58Z dg43tfdfdgfd