A look at Erik ten Hag’s troubled tenure at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag’s departure as Manchester United manager is the latest chapter in the club’s tumultuous search for a stable leader post-Sir Alex Ferguson.

Over his 20-month tenure, Ten Hag faced multiple challenges: from poor signings to player disagreements and costly failures in match strategy.

Tensions came to a head on Monday when Ten Hag met with Manchester United’s chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth at Carrington.

In what was described as a “calm and dignified” conversation, they informed Ten Hag his services were no longer required, citing insufficient results and a lack of improvement in team performance.

Despite a 12-month contract extension in the summer, the decision to part ways with Ten Hag reportedly stemmed from issues that had escalated since last season.

An insider expressed disappointment, noting, “We have put everything we can in place to develop, and we are not seeing an improvement.”

United spent approximately £615 million under Ten Hag, including £200 million this summer alone, but the results were underwhelming.

Transfers for players like Antony, who has struggled to make the starting lineup, and Mason Mount, whose recurring injuries have limited his impact, have highlighted recruitment missteps.

Former Ajax players like Casemiro and Christian Eriksen also remain part of the squad, a situation that perplexed many given their age and physical limitations.

The team's persistent tactical issues, from a porous defense to an inconsistent attack, made it clear that Ten Hag’s style lacked the adaptability required for the Premier League.

During his tenure, United’s defensive frailties and inability to score in crucial games stood out, culminating in embarrassing losses, such as the 7-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Mis-management and Communication

Ten Hag’s interpersonal skills came under scrutiny, with several player relationships turning sour. Notably, he faced tension with former goalkeeper David de Gea, who expressed his disapproval through a cryptic social media post.

Ten Hag’s handling of star players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho also drew criticism. Benni McCarthy, a former staff member under Ten Hag, observed that the manager’s lack of empathy, particularly with players of Ronaldo’s caliber, contributed to locker-room discord.

Manchester United’s upper management, led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, reportedly considered managerial replacements as early as the FA Cup win in May.

Discussions included high-profile names like Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino, but no action was taken until the current season’s dismal start made it impossible to continue with Ten Hag at the helm.

Ratcliffe, troubled by United’s poor season start, abstained from publicly endorsing Ten Hag, which further isolated the manager.

Tuchel’s decision to take on the England role instead of joining United marked a missed opportunity that now looms large in the context of Ten Hag’s departure.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined the coaching staff in the summer, will now assume the interim role. Van Nistelrooy, a former United striker, had been seen by some as a natural caretaker if Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford came to an end.

As United’s fifth permanent manager since Ferguson’s 2013 departure, Ten Hag’s drawn-out and tumultuous exit will likely inform the club’s search for a successor.