Manchester United have chosen to sack Erik ten Hag

That was the last straw for Manchester United, in the loss 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 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 different coaches and inconsistent performances. His methodical and tactically detailed way of leading his teams, along with an ability to develop young players, was considered to be exactly what the club needed.

The beginning of his tenure gave some hope. United appeared more organized on the field and showed moments of brilliance, especially when they managed to secure 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 major titles again.

Declining performances and internal tensions

Despite a promising start, problems soon began to accumulate. 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. Moreover, rumors of internal conflicts and dissatisfaction among the players began to emerge. It was said that ten Hag was not able to get the entire squad on board and that his strict disciplinary style was not appreciated by everyone.

In terms of results, 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's 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 as if the club's management, with CEO Richard Arnold and the Glazer family at the forefront, ultimately felt that the situation was untenable. Although Erik ten Hag still had support from some parts of the squad and from sections of the fan base, the management believed 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 club's best interest to move forward with a new voice and new energy in the dressing room.

What happens now?

The question now hanging over Old Trafford is who will replace Erik ten Hag and lead the club forward. Speculation has 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 is likely that he will soon be considered for other major clubs in Europe.

Manchester United, on the other hand, finds itself once again in a turbulent period. The question now is whether the club's management can find the right solution to take 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 whoever comes in next has both the ability and the patience to lead the club back to its former glory.