If any neutrals found themselves scrolling through social media following the confirmation that Erik ten Hag will be staying on as Manchester United manager, they would have been forgiven for wondering if the Red Devils fanbase had come down with a collective case of amnesia.
Last season was, after all, Manchester United‘s worst in the history of the Premier League. They finished a record-low of eighth, lost more games than any more (14) and finished with a minus goal difference to boot.
So, that FA Cup triumph over Man City aside, why was the announcement of Erik ten Hag‘s remaining in situ greeted with such a flurry of positivity?
Quite simply, there are large sections of the Man United support who still hold the former Ajax boss in very high regard. The 2023/24 league campaign was a disaster of epic proportions, yes, but a highly impressive 2022/23 offers a glimpse of what Ten Hag can do with a fully fit squad at his disposal.
Even Jurgen Klopp could not guide Liverpool into the Champions League during their own unprecedented injury crisis a few seasons back.
While his sometimes baffling tactics certianly didn’t help, there are a number of mitigating factors – largely injury and illness – which explain why Ten Hag’s second season went as badly as it did. Furthermore, were any of the potential replacements really an upgrade?
Erik ten Hag is staying at Manchester United
Thomas Frank, Thiago Motta, Roberto de Zerbi and co are all fine managers but unproven at a major club. Mauricio Pochettino felt like a sidewards step. Thomas Tuchel has a superb CV but led Bayern Munich to third in the Bundesliga last term, and hardly feels like a man capable of unifying the dressing room.
The less said about Gareth Southgate, meanwhile, the better. United considered all their options, met with various candidates, and obviously felt that none of those on the market would be a better fit than the man who, lest we forget, is the only manager post-Sir Alex Ferguson to lift silverware in successive seasons.
The Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan, meanwhile, claims that the fan support for Ten Hag was a factor in Ineos’ decision to hand him the reigns again.
“On Ten Hag; United review included lengthy discussions with him. They came to the conclusion that he was the best man for the job, despite talks with others,” Keegan writes on X. “A new contract is expected to follow. FA Cup Final victory clearly huge
“Do not underestimate the role of fan opinion in this. Decision makers (were) well aware of large numbers of United supporters who wanted Ten Hag to stay.”
Youth record and fan support helps Ten Hag
The Daily Mail add that Ineos also considered Ten Hag’s fine track record when promoting youth – Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho scoring in the FA Cup final after being handed first-team roles by the 54-year-old – was another massive tick in the ‘pro’ column.
Ten Hag, despite some high-profile falling outs (his stay his not exactly great news for Jadon Sancho) remains largely popular in the dressing room too.
“I hope (Ten Hag stays),” veteran defender Jonny Evans told reporters in the Wembley mixed zone after the manager’s teenage duo fired United to glory.
“He’s been amazing for me this season, bringing me back in, showing a lot of belief in me and playing me as much as he has. I’ve only got good things to say about him.
“And, I think over the last month or so, he’s shown incredible technical flexibility to be able to sit off counter attack, a style he doesn’t see himself coaching, but he’s done it and over the last month or so we’ve put in some much better performances.”