Manchester United have decided that Erik Ten Hag will remain in charge next season, club sources have confirmed to HITC.
After their stunning FA Cup final victory over local rivals Manchester City in May – United confirmed that they would be conducting a review of the club’s performance and part of that would decide whether Ten Hag remained with the club.
Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe instigated the process which was led by INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford and INEOS sport CEO Jean-Claude Blanc, who are also now board members at Old Trafford, along with newly appointed technical director Jason Wilcox.
Now, nearly a month after their cup final success, United have finally delivered their verdict on Ten Hag.
Erik Ten Hag staying on at Old Trafford next season
And HITC can confirm that the club’s end of season review has concluded that the Dutchman is the right man to take the club into next season.
United have been firm in their stance that at no point had the club made a decision on Ten Hag’s future – even when before the cup final reports claimed that the Dutchman had been informed that he would be losing his job.
However, during the end of season review – which also saw them discuss the future of club captain Bruno Fernandes and other players – United did hold talks with various candidates to replace Ten Hag.
In recent weeks Ratcliffe met with Thomas Tuchel, whilst the camps of Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi had also been approached as United considered their options – but HITC was always told by sources that it was just a matter of the club doing proper due diligence, should they indeed move on from Ten Hag.
Another name, who was always the preferred option amongst the club’s new hierarchy, is England’s Gareth Southgate and HITC understands that he remains someone of interest to United in the long-term.
Ten Hag wants new contract to stay at United
However, the man who will be in charge of United next season is Ten Hag.
Ten Hag for his part has been informed of United’s decision and he told the club he was happy to stay – but he does want the club to enter into talks over a new contract and we understand they have agreed to that.
The Dutchman’s current deal expires in just 12-months and Ten Hag believes that the club need to be strong, and that means him signing a new deal to continue the work he has done since arriving from Ajax in 2022.
As well as winning the FA Cup to finish this season – Ten Hag’s ability to focus the club’s future around their youth system played a major part in him keeping his job.
The progress of the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo has been a particular highlight in the last 12-months and was seen as key by Ratcliffe and the club’s new footballing department as they want United’s academy to be central to their plans going forward.
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