Manchester United are conducting a review into who should manage the club in 2024/25 and beyond after a challenging season.
New investors Ineos were at Wembley to see Manchester United beat rivals City to win the FA Cup. It was a memorable day, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co were not immediately swayed into making an instant decision.
The Dutchman’s celebration was almost ruined at Wembley by obnoxious interviewers asking him if he feared being sacked. Erik ten Hag dealt with it well, insisting he was focused on celebrating with his team.
With a decision due, here is a look at six reasons Ineos should keep Erik ten Hag on as manager.
Erik ten Hag wins trophies
Erik ten Hag came out swinging after the game at Wembley, warning it will be Manchester United’s loss if they part ways with him.
He told a press conference: “Two trophies in two years is not bad, three finals in two years is not bad.
“If they don’t want me, then I go somewhere else to win trophies because that is what I do.”
He’s got a point. Ten Hag is the only Manchester United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to win trophies in back to back years.
There’s a case he has earned a third year due to his success. Any replacement will be under immediate pressure to win silverware in year one. Let’s give Ten Hag a chance to see if he can win a trophy for a third season in a row.
There were six years between United’s first trophy under Ten Hag in 2023, and the previous one, in 2017.
Injury issues gave him no chance in 23/24
Outside of the FA Cup, it was a dismal season. Erik ten Hag believes he should get a free pass for this season due to the outrageously difficult injury list he had to overcome.
United spent almost the entire season with no left-back, and played a FA Cup semi-final with just one centre-back, who then got injured too.
It was impressive how Ten Hag managed to win a trophy despite these issues, his players did not give up on him.
The Dutchman came up with a gameplan to outwit City for the final, and made clear afterwards that this was what United are capable of with a fully fit squad. Shall we see if he can back up his words?
With a good transfer window, United can fix the squad gaps, and injury-proof the squad to try and avoid a repeat of this season.
Replacement list offers no clear upgrade
Various managers have been linked with replacing Erik ten Hag, but there is no clear cut choice of replacement.
Mauricio Pochettino may be a sideways step, he’s never won a trophy in English football. Thomas Tuchel has not lasted more than two years at any of his last four clubs.
Other names linked, Thomas Frank, Roberto de Zerbi, Graham Potter, Kieran McKenna, all have weaker CVs than the Dutchman.
Without a truly compelling standout choice, why rush into making a change right now?
Ineos risk changing too much at once
It’s understandable Ineos may want their own manager in charge. But they might be better served allowing Ten Hag more time.
This summer there is a new chief executive arriving, Omar Berrada, and a new technical director in place, Jason Wilcox. Dan Ashworth, the new sporting director, is probably only arriving after the transfer window.
Changing a manager at the same time could be too chaotic. How about Ineos provide Erik ten Hag with the proper support structure they are putting in place, and see if he can benefit?
If he can’t, then you make a change. If a new manager comes in and succeeds, how do you know who is responsible?
Is it down to the new manager effect? Or is it the support structure?
Fan support for Ten Hag to stay
Ineos’ decision should be expertise based, but it is worth taking into account fan sentiment, and there is a growing swell of support for Ten Hag to stay.
The TRA Group wrote on X: “Sir Jim, if you care about the match going fans (and proper Utd everywhere), you’ll stand by our manager. We want him to stay, do the right thing.”
United In Focus noted from Wembley that there was real vocal support for Ten Hag and a desire for him to stay on, from fans in attendance. Our recent fan poll also voted overwhelmingly to keep the manager.
It’s important not to be too reactionary, but a FA Cup win over rivals City should not be easily dismissed.
A plea for stability
How many times can Manchester United start again? There is desperate need for stability at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is the fifth permanent manager in the decade since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Eventually you have to stick with a manager. Sticking with one who has two trophies in his first two seasons might be a smart move.
The manager is building something. He is keeping the traditions of the club alive, depending on incredible young players as part of his vision, who will only get stronger with more experience.
Consistency is important for their development. Look at Marcus Rashford for instance, he has not been helped by a constant change in management and tactics since his breakthrough in 2016.
United need to break the cycle of ripping up a project and starting again every two years. Ineos should ignore the noise, invest, and back the manager. A novel concept in today’s game.