Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has clarified the decision to retain Erik ten Hag as the first-team manager.
After a span of two and a half weeks subsequent to United’s triumphant FA Cup final conquest over Manchester City, the official declaration surfaced that Erik ten Hag would persist in his role at Old Trafford following a thorough end-of-season evaluation.
The Dutch manager found himself under intense scrutiny following Manchester United’s dismal eighth-place finish in the Premier League, which marked the club’s poorest league standing ever recorded. Consequently, the club’s proprietors, INEOS, purportedly engaged in discussions with multiple managers regarding the potential replacement of ten Hag, including prominent figures such as Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino.
Despite these deliberations, both parties ultimately opted to extend ten Hag’s tenure. Speaking at The Times CEO Summit, INEOS owner Ratcliffe elucidated the rationale behind this decision. When questioned about their confidence in ten Hag, Ratcliffe responded succinctly, “Erik? Because he’s a good coach. He performed exceptionally at Ajax. He also had a stint at Bayern Munich…” Ratcliffe’s statement was then interrupted by an inquiry concerning the role of a coach in a team’s overall success.
Ratcliffe expounded further, “The general public tends to believe that the coach is paramount and that everything revolves around them, much like it may have during Alex Ferguson’s era. However, if you look at those 11 seasons at Manchester United, we’ve had a succession of coaches, some of whom were highly competent, and yet none have achieved success. You cannot attribute the root cause of the issue solely to the coach. It’s about the environment they operate within. That’s where our focus lies — management, practices, the caliber of individuals involved — all factors that demand attention at Manchester United, just as in any other business.”
Ratcliffe’s remarks echo his recent statements in an interview with Bloomberg, where he asserted that the coach “isn’t the central issue at Manchester United.” He went on to elaborate, “It’s a sports club. It needs competitiveness, it needs intensity, but it also requires a supportive aspect because you are dealing with relatively young players. Historically, it hasn’t had that sort of environment.”
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag, speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS during the Euro 2024 match between England and Serbia, addressed his future at Manchester United, remarking, “Manchester United and I still need to come to terms on a new contract. This isn’t a straightforward process; we still have much to discuss. United informed me that they spoke with Thomas Tuchel, but they ultimately concluded that I am their preferred manager.” Ten Hag confirmed a meeting with club officials in Ibiza to discuss his future plans, noting, “Manchester United disrupted my holiday; they unexpectedly appeared at my doorstep. They flew out to Ibiza to meet with me.” Reflecting on INEOS’s approach, he added, “INEOS took their time. They are new to football; it’s customary to review the season. It’s no secret they conversed with several candidates. Here in Holland, this approach is unheard of; in fact, it’s prohibited. But in England, rules and customs are different. As in any organization, a thorough evaluation is sensible. Conclusions were drawn from that process. The new leadership is experiencing football for the first time.”
In essence, the ongoing saga at Manchester United underscores the complexities inherent in club management and the delicate balance between managerial stability, performance evaluation, and the ever-evolving dynamics within a top-tier football institution.The situation at Manchester United following their FA Cup victory over Manchester City and their poor Premier League finish highlights the intricate dynamics of football club management. Despite the pressure on Erik ten Hag due to the club’s record-low league standing, INEOS, the club’s owners, decided to retain him after a comprehensive review. This decision underscores a broader view that the issues at Manchester United extend beyond the manager alone, focusing on the overall environment and management practices within the club.
INEOS owner Jim Ratcliffe emphasized that while ten Hag is a capable coach with a successful track record at Ajax and Bayern Munich, the challenges at Manchester United are not solely related to the coaching. Ratcliffe pointed out that the club’s struggles over the past decade, despite having various competent managers, indicate deeper systemic issues. He stressed the importance of a supportive and competitive environment, which has been lacking.
Ten Hag, on his part, acknowledged the unique approach taken by INEOS, including discussions with other high-profile managers. He remains in talks with the club regarding a new contract, highlighting the ongoing evaluation and future planning under the new ownership. The situation reflects the complexities of modern football management, where stability and thorough evaluation are crucial for long-term success.
