October 28, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
Manchester United has parted ways with manager Erik ten Hag following the club’s dismal start to the season, the Premier League giants announced on Monday.
Ten Hag’s departure comes after United suffered their fourth defeat in nine league games, dropping to 14th in the table. The team has won only one of their last eight games in all competitions.
“Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” the club stated.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.”
During his tenure, Ten Hag led United to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined the club as Ten Hag’s assistant in July, will serve as interim manager while a permanent head coach is recruited.
Ten Hag’s position had been under scrutiny after United’s worst start to an English top-flight campaign since the 1989/90 season. Despite a contract extension to June 2026 after the FA Cup victory, he failed to address the team’s struggles.
United’s poor performances included defeats by Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen in the Champions League, and losses to Bournemouth, Brighton, and Fulham. The team also crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage.
The club’s new sporting structure, spearheaded by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, led to significant off-field changes, including the appointment of a new chief executive, sporting director, and technical director.
However, Ten Hag’s FA Cup success proved short-lived, and United’s decline continued. Since legendary manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, five permanent managers have been dismissed without United posing a challenge for the Premier League title.
