What Led to Erik ten Hag’s Downfall at Manchester United?
In a shocking turn of events, Erik ten Hag's tenure as manager of Manchester United has come to an abrupt end, just months after Pep Guardiola labelled him an "extraordinary" manager. The saga of Ten Hag is more than a simple story of a club's managerial roulette; it encapsulates the trials and tribulations of a storied club desperately searching for its former glory.
Ten Hag’s reign reached a pinnacle when he guided Manchester United to a memorable 2-1 victory against arch-rivals Manchester City in the 2024 FA Cup final. Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo clinched the title, a feat that seemed to constitute a significant turnaround amid otherwise lacklustre Premier League performances.
Despite this major triumph, the season overall was marred by a record-low 8th place finish in the Premier League. Ten Hag's side only managed 18 wins in a total of 38 matches, compounded by an early exit from both the League Cup and Champions League, where they faced disappointing defeats, finishing last in their group. These struggles inevitably led to mounting pressure and uncertainty regarding his position.
Initially backed by the board, including minority shareholder Ratcliffe, Ten Hag was granted a contract extension and a hefty transfer budget of nearly £200 million. Yet, despite the arrivals of notable players such as Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt, the manager could not reinvigorate the squad as the new season commenced.
After failing to secure three wins from the opening nine games of the upcoming season, Ten Hag was dismissed following a loss against West Ham United in October. Sir Jim Ratcliffe's previously supportive stance underwent a change, leading him to later admit that retaining Ten Hag post-FA Cup victory was a mistake.
In the wake of Ten Hag's departure, Ruben Amorim stepped into the managerial role, stepping into a challenging situation. However, even his appointment has not lifted the club's fortunes, with supporters expressing concerns over performance levels yet again.
As Manchester United seeks stability, they could still clinch the Europa League title, crucial for restoring faith among fans and securing a Champions League spot for the next season.
Meanwhile, Guardiola's Manchester City looks to reclaim the FA Cup title themselves, showcasing the contrasting fortunes of two managerial philosophies in the historic rivalry of Manchester football. While City hopes to celebrate yet another trophy, United grapples with the ghosts of its managerial choices. What does the future hold for the Red Devils? Only time will tell.
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