NEW DELHI: Manchester United have parted ways with manager Erik ten Hag, the Premier League club announced on Monday. The team is currently 14th in the standings after nine games.
“Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” the club confirmed in a statement.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will step in as interim head coach, supported by the existing coaching staff, until a permanent head coach is appointed.
Ten Hag, 54, faced speculation about his job for much of last season after United finished eighth in the Premier League, their worst finish in years.
This was also amid changes with British billionaire and INEOS chairman Jim Ratcliffe taking over football operations.
Despite a surprising FA Cup final win over Manchester City and attributing poor form to numerous injuries, Ten Hag earned another chance and even signed a contract extension until 2026.
However, the team’s early performances this season suggested that Ten Hag might not be able to turn things around.
Ten Hag, who was appointed from Ajax, had the daunting task of restoring Manchester United to their former glory, as the club had been struggling since the retirement of legendary manager Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Despite securing the League Cup and the FA Cup in his inaugural season at Old Trafford, Ten Hag was unable to significantly improve upon the club’s worst league performance in over three decades.
Ten Hag’s job was saved by an unexpected triumph over arch-rival Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May, followed by a comprehensive review of the club’s performance at the end of the season. As a result, his contract was extended by one year, keeping him at the club until 2026.
His exit coincides with a period of significant change at United, following the acquisition of a minority stake by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe has assumed control of United’s soccer operations, appointing a new CEO, sporting director, and technical director in recent months.
Ten Hag was the fifth permanent manager to take the reins at United since Ferguson’s departure, following in the footsteps of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United’s upcoming match is a home fixture against Leicester in the English League Cup on Wednesday.
