Sir Jim Ratcliffe's telling comments on sacking Erik ten Hag as Man Utd confirm succession plan
Erik ten Hag has been dismissed as Manchester United manager just a few short months after Manchester United's new part-owners backed him with a new Old Trafford contract
Manchester United's dismissal of Erik ten Hag comes less than a month after part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refused to publicly back the manager.
Former Ajax boss Ten Hag has been sacked with the team sat 14th in the Premier League. United confirmed Ruud van Nistelrooy will take interim charge while the higher-ups decide on a new permanent hire.
Sunday's defeat at West Ham was the final straw amid a difficult third season for Ten Hag. United have gone a full year without winning in Europe, while the loss at the London Stadium was a fourth in nine league games.
Ten Hag found himself under increasing pressure after a dismal home defeat against Spurs at the end of September. Days later, Ratcliffe was asked about the future of the Dutchman, and didn't feel able to give him his full backing.
"I don’t want to answer that question… I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call, it’s the management team that’s running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects," Ratcliffe told The BBC in early October.
"But that team that’s running Manchester United has only been together since June or July. They weren’t there in January, February, March or April – [CEO] Omar [Berrada], [Sporting Director] Dan Ashworth - they only arrived in July
"They’ve only been there…you can count it in weeks almost - they’ve not been there a long time so they need to take stock and make some sensible decisions. Our objective is very clear - we want to take Manchester United back to where it should be, and it’s not there yet, obviously - that’s very clear.”
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Ten Hag was backed over the summer as Ratcliffe and United's decision-makers explored the possibility of replacing him with Thomas Tuchel. Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager Tuchel has since agreed to take the England job, and will begin his new role in January.
A number of candidates are now in the mix, with former Barcelona boss Xavi thought to be among the front-runners. Gareth Southgate, who stepped down as England boss over the summer, has also been linked with the post.
Van Nistelrooy has taken interim charge for now, though, having joined United over the summer as part of Ten Hag's coaching staff. United are due to take on Leicester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, while their next Premier League outing sees them welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
"Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager," United said in their official statement on Ten Hag's sacking. "Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
"We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited."
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