Ten Hag targets two years contract at Manchester United amidst conditions
Erik ten Hag is poised to extend his tenure at Manchester United, with the club expected to offer him a two-year contract extension.
According to a report by All Football, this decision follows a prolonged end-of-season review that had left Ten Hag’s future at the club uncertain.
However, after a crucial meeting on Tuesday, the club’s hierarchy, led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, decided to keep Ten Hag at the helm.
Ten Hag, who joined Manchester United in 2022 on a three-year contract with an optional one-year extension, saw his contract originally set to expire on June 30, 2025. The new deal will add two more years, effectively keeping him at Old Trafford until 2027. This move aims to provide stability and clear direction for the club as it prepares for the upcoming seasons.
The Dutchman’s frustration grew as the review stretched into its third week, fearing delays would impact both his position and the club’s transfer plans. Despite being disappointed that United explored other managerial options during the review, Ten Hag accepted the situation and remained committed to discussions about his future. Preliminary talks have suggested a two-year extension, although final details are still to be confirmed.
The review process involved conversations with several high-profile managers, including Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, and Roberto de Zerbi, highlighting the club’s thorough approach in evaluating its options. Ultimately, the decision to retain Ten Hag was swayed by his FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, which secured European football for the club in the Europa League next season.
The review’s length was justified as a thorough process by the club’s leadership, marking it as the first of its kind and a practice that will be refined in future years. This review will now become an annual procedure, expected to be conducted more swiftly going forward.
As Ten Hag prepares for his extended role, there are discussions about potential changes to his responsibilities. While he currently holds the title of manager, there is a preference from Ineos, the club’s effective new owners, to transition to a head coach model within their established sporting structure. This would involve collaboration with incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox, aiming to streamline decision-making and reduce the concentration of power.
John Murtough, the former football director who played a pivotal role in Ten Hag’s initial appointment, faced criticism for his ability to provide adequate support. The transfer of Antony from Ajax for £86 million, a deal insisted upon by Ten Hag, raised eyebrows due to the inflated price resulting from United’s delayed actions. Despite these challenges, Ten Hag has defended his decisions, citing the club’s lack of infrastructure as a significant factor.
Looking ahead, United’s transfer funds for the summer are expected to be limited, with a focus on maximizing the potential of the current squad. Ten Hag’s efforts in developing young talents such as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have been highlighted as positive aspects of his tenure.
The review also acknowledged the impact of injuries, the integration period required for new signings like Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund, and Mason Mount, and the need to rebuild confidence in key players like Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.
With the review concluding that Ten Hag deserves a chance to prove himself under the new sporting structure, his immediate priority will be to finalize transfer plans ahead of the pre-season. The team will reconvene for training in early July, followed by a friendly in Norway against Rosenborg and a tour to the United States.
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