Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag waits on a decision on his future from the decision-makers at Old Trafford.
FA Cup and Carabao Cup winning manager Erik ten Hag is growing frustrated with the time being spent to make a decision on his future.
The Dutchman’s future is on hold with Ineos carefully examining whether he should remain in charge, amid an ongoing review.
This season’s cup success was offset by a poor eighth placed finish in the Premier League. Injuries made the circumstances somewhat mitigating, but it was a painful campaign.
Ten Hag worried about transfers
Erik ten Hag is fighting for his job at Old Trafford and has no intention of walking away. He wants to stay at Manchester United and succeed.
He is worried about Manchester United’s chances of success becoming impeded by the delays.
The Telegraph report: “Ten Hag is concerned that if United intend to keep him then the club is already in danger of falling behind in this summer’s market and this will impact their prospects next season.”
It is a fairly held concern. Manchester United have not made any signings so far, and while rivals are yet to splash the cash either, the Red Devils have lots of work to do.
New signings are urgent at centre-back and striker, with a desire for new additions also in midfield and at left-back.
Ideally, Ten Hag would have spent this past fortnight working with Ineos. Instead he is being kept in the dark, and will have to catch up, if he is retained.
And the point stands if he is replaced too. United’s delayed activity in the market risks impeding a new boss just as much.
Sir Dave Brailsford has already explained delays
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos are trying to be methodical in their analysis, and do not intend to rush their review, much to the frustration of Ten Hag, and to many Manchester United supporters.
Key advisor Sir Dave Brailsford is one of the figures involved in the consultation process, and he has previously explained his strategy, and why it takes a long time to reach a decision.
He spoke to the Diary of a CEO podcast in 2022, explaining how he agonises over big calls.
Brailsford said: “When the real moments arrive, they are very stressful. I get very introspective, look at myself in the mirror and think it through.
“Everyone who works with me will say it takes me time to make a decision because I think of every permutation and I think it through so much.
“Emotionally, I get fully engaged with these things and I have to think very carefully about them.
“I’ve had to make a couple of pretty big decisions and you think ‘what do I believe in?’
“Is it a popular decision, a performance decision? Are we trying to win or to keep people happy? Where do we go?
“Without figuring out what I believe in you’re always going to be caught in a storm and it’s going to be mentally excruciating.
“So I like to anchor myself. What are my values, what do I believe in and how does it apply to this situation?”
Brailsford’s comments on being unafraid of making unpopular decisions could take on a fresh light if Manchester United end up moving for England boss Gareth Southgate.
At present there are considered to be no outstanding candidates to replace Ten Hag, which could strengthen the case to keep him in charge to begin the 2024/25 season.