Author of a catastrophic start to the season at the head of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag was dismissed from his duties as coach of the Red Devils on Monday. The defeat of the Mancunian club, 14th in the Premier League after nine days (3 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses), against West Ham this weekend (2-1) was too much for the INEOS managers. This is quite simply the worst start since the 1989-1990 fiscal year.
The former coach of Ajax Amsterdam, who arrived in April 2022, managed to win the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024 with Manchester.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him good luck for the future,” we read in the press release formalizing his departure. Already weakened this summer after a mediocre 2023-2024 financial year which saw the Red Devils finish in 8th place in the championship, ten Hag was finally extended until 2026, saved by the final of the FA Cup won against the rival Manchester City (2-1).
His assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the first team on an interim basis, while waiting “for a coach to be recruited”, adds the club. The former PSV Eindhoven coach should have a few matches to show the extent of his talent, and why not convince his managers to keep him, as was the case with Ralf Rangnick, who arrived on an interim basis for six months between December 2021 and May 2022.
The Mancuniens will face Chelsea on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at Old Trafford, on the 10th day of the Premier League for a first big test under the aegis of van Nistelrooy. Bruno Fernandes' teammates have only one victory in their last five league meetings.
