Manchester United has decided to fire Erik ten Hag

That was the last straw for Manchester United, in the defeat against West Ham.

In a dramatic and for many unexpected development, Manchester United has decided to sack Erik ten Hag as head coach, despite him only being at the helm for just over a year. The Dutch coach, who arrived with high expectations and great hopes of restoring the club's former glory, never really had the breakthrough many thought would come. Ten Hag's time at Old Trafford has been marked by both successes and setbacks, but recent results and the internal dynamics within the club seem to have become too much to handle.

A Promising Start

When Erik ten Hag took over Manchester United in the summer of 2022, he had just led Ajax to several impressive successes, both in the Eredivisie and on the European stage. Many fans and experts saw him as the right man to get United back on track after several turbulent years with various coaches and inconsistent performances. His methodical and tactically detailed way of leading his teams, along with an ability to develop young players, were considered exactly what the club needed.

The beginning of his tenure gave some hope. United seemed better organized on the field and showed moments of brilliance, especially when they secured a spot in the Champions League through a top-four finish in the Premier League during his first season. They also won the League Cup, which was the club's first trophy since 2017, thereby creating optimism that ten Hag might be the coach to finally get United to challenge for the big titles again.

Falling Performances and Internal Tensions

Despite a promising start, problems soon began to mount. During the 2023–2024 season, it became clear that United was struggling to meet the expectations set. Key players were injured, and some new signings did not live up to the hype. In addition, rumors of internal conflicts and dissatisfaction among the players started to leak out. It was talked about that ten Hag failed to get the entire squad on his side and that his strict disciplinary style was not appreciated by everyone.

Results-wise, things did not go as desired. United struggled to keep up in the title race and fell early in several cup tournaments. The team's performances in the Champions League were also weak, creating frustration among both supporters and the club management. When the club started the season with a series of defeats and uneven performances, the demands for changes grew stronger.

Management's Decision

It seems that the club's management, led by CEO Richard Arnold and the owning Glazer family, ultimately felt that the situation was untenable. Even though Erik ten Hag still had support from some parts of the squad and from parts of the fan base, the management felt that a change was necessary to try to save the season and prevent further decline.

In a brief statement from the club, it was announced that Erik ten Hag had been relieved of his position with immediate effect. In the same statement, it was emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly but that it was in the best interest of the club to move forward with a new voice and new energy in the locker room.

What Happens Now?

The question now hanging over Old Trafford is who will replace Erik ten Hag and lead the club forward. Speculations have already begun to circulate, with several big names linked to the job, including former coaches with Premier League experience and international coaching profiles.

For Erik ten Hag, this is a tough setback in his coaching career, but with his credentials from Ajax and his ambitions, it's likely that he will soon be considered for other big clubs in Europe.

Manchester United, on the other hand, finds itself once again in a turbulent period. The question is now whether the club management can find the right solution to bring the team back to the top, or if this is yet another chapter in the ongoing search for a new identity and direction since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

For the supporters, it's another frustrating turn in a long saga of failed coaching changes. They can only hope that the next person to come in has both the ability and the patience to lead the club back to its former glory.