Manchester United investors Ineos are conducting a review into Erik ten Hag’s job, to decide whether or not he should continue in the role next season.
Ineos‘ review into Erik ten Hag‘s job has not been to everybody’s liking. But to their credit, they have managed to operate quietly over the past fortnight. Until now.
It has emerged Sir Jim Ratcliffe has held talks with Thomas Tuchel over the manager’s position. It didn’t go well, for Tuchel at least, who has since ruled himself out of the running.
What this has done, is shine a light on Ineos’ activity, and show that talks are going on behind the scenes with potential new bosses.
Erik ten Hag left hanging
Two weeks ago Erik ten Hag was celebrating winning the FA Cup. And to some extent, he has been able to enjoy it, saved from being axed instantly afterwards like the treatment dealt out to Louis van Gaal in 2016.
Many decried the actions of Ed Woodward at the time as classless and tasteless. Ineos have not repeated the same error.
But they are now reaching the other end of the scale, where they now risk looking totally indecisive – and are not treating Ten Hag well by leaving him in the dark.
According to The Telegraph, Erik ten Hag is feeling ‘frustrated’ at the length of time it is taking Ineos to make up their minds and communicate their decision.
Ten Hag has not yet been informed of Ineos’ decision, although you could deduce that it looks bleak for him.
On the other hand, you could argue Ineos are simply taking an informed decision by speaking to other candidates, and Thomas Tuchel being out of the running is good news for the Dutchman.
Erik ten Hag argued he did not have full squad
Erik ten Hag wants to succeed at Manchester United, and winning two trophies in two seasons suggests that to a large degree, he has done so.
This was offset by a terrible Premier League campaign in which the the team finished as low as eighth place, with a negative goal difference.
He has been insistent that he has frequently lacked his full strength team, due to injury issues which have impacted results.
Ten Hag said, prior to the FA Cup Final: “We didn’t have the players. You are right we have seen the same thing, it has not always been good football. But we have had to make a lot of compromises and then you can’t play the football you want to play.
“I have been here two years and we have maybe had three or four times when we have had the full squad available.”
The case for Ten Hag is that if Ineos can construct a better squad, and improve other areas off the pitch including the medical department, then results will improve.
The players never gave up on him, evidenced by the memorable win at Wembley. With so much behind the scenes changing, does the manager deserve one more chance?
This may become a moot point if Ten Hag is offended by the way Ineos have conducted this review over the past fortnight. If trust is eroded between the two parties, it could be hard to see the Dutchman continuing with any success.