BREAKING: Erik ten Hag has been sacked as manager of Manchester United the club confirmed Monday and appoints Ruud van Nistelrooy as interim coach
The decision came in the wake of a 1-0 Premier League defeat to West Ham United, which marked the end of the Dutchman’s two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford.
Under Ten Hag’s leadership, United struggled in the early stages of the 2024–25 season, managing just three wins from nine league games.
The team’s form in all competitions also faltered, with only four victories in 14 matches, leaving them in 14th place in the Premier League table, a troubling seven points adrift of the Champions League qualification spots.
Manchester United are likely to turn to club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy to guide the team on an interim basis following the sacking of manager Erik ten Hag.
Van Nistelrooy, who was brought in during the offseason to support Ten Hag, will assume leadership while the remaining coaching staff maintains their roles.
Ten Hag’s tenure began with high expectations after he took over in 2022, signing a contract that was recently extended by one year this past July, pushing his commitment through 2025.
His previous achievements with the club included an FA Cup final victory against Manchester City, but after United’s disappointing eighth-place finish last season—their lowest since 1990—a summer review was conducted.
United’s decision-makers, including CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox, ultimately chose to retain Ten Hag.
Assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in temporary charge of Manchester United after the club’s hierarchy decided to sack Erik ten Hag on Monday, and remains the favourite for the permanent position.
The Red Devils had endured another torrid start to the season and sit 14th in the Premier League after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham.
Ten Hag had been under pressure for some time, with United’s football board and owners discussing his future among other topics when they met for a meeting in a London hotel earlier this month.
United agreed a one-year extension to Ten Hag’s contract in July, but performances this season have deteriorated to new lows, with the club ultimately deciding to part ways with the Dutchman.
Erik ten Hag has been relieved of his duties
REUTERS
In two and a half years as manager, Ten Hag won two pieces of silverware, guiding United to victory in the 2022/23 Carabao Cup final against Newcastle and to FA Cup glory last season with victory over rivals Manchester City.
Thomas Tuchel had been considered a potential suitor to Ten Hag and was sounded out by the club shortly after leaving his post as head coach of Bayern Munich at the end of last season. But the Football Association moved decisively and appointed the German as England manager 20 days before Ten Hag’s dismissal.
Tuchel’s predecessor in the England job, Gareth Southgate, has been mooted as a potential candidate for the United top job and is available as well as being admired by INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim and ex-Barcelona manager Xavi are also among those tipped to replace Ten Hag.
Julian Nagelsmann has seen his odds shorten significantly shortly after confirmation of Ten Hag’s dismissal.
Here, Standard Sport considers the bookies’ favourites to become the new Manchester United manager…
Julian Nagelsmann, Gareth Southgate and Ruud van Nistelrooy are contenders
London Standard
Next permanent Manchester United manager odds
Ruud van Nistelrooy: 2/5
Gareth Southgate: 7/2
Ruben Amorim: 3/1
Xavi Hernandez: 5/1
Thomas Frank: 7/1
Graham Potter: 7/1
Michael Carrick: 8/1
Julian Nagelsmann: 8/1
Kieran McKenna: 12/1
Edin Terzic: 14/1
Simone Inzaghi: 18/1
Max Allegri: 20/1
Zinedine Zidane: 20/1
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