'It was inevitable' — Why Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag

By: Shawn
Erik ten Hag lost his job at Manchester United just 116 days after his contract was renewed due to poor results and performances.

According to United sources, the club made a painful and well considered decision to end Ten Hag's career after less than two and a half years.

Erik ten Hag.
Getty Images

Ten Hag remained as United manager in the summer, despite the club placing ninth in the Premier League previous season and last in their Champions League group. United won the FA Cup in the final game of the season, effectively granting Ten Hag a reprieve.

Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreed to a minority ownership in December, United has appointed a new chief executive, a new technical director, and its first sporting director. Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake were hired as assistant coaches under Ten Hag, and Van Nistelrooy was appointed caretaker manager.

Despite chief executive Omar Berrada's "full backing" for Ten Hag last month, United have lost faith in the Dutchman. The club wanted to offer Ten Hag the opportunity to work under a new system, but they didn't think his performances or results were good enough this year.

United claim they partially retained Ten Hag to maintain continuity among massive changes, yet Ten Hag has failed to oversee any development this term. United are 14th in the Premier League table with a goal differential of -3, having lost four of their first nine league games.

Their league record, as well as their failure to win any of their three Europa League games from winning positions, were mentioned as reasons for dismissing Ten Hag.

United think they have put everything in place to improve, and there are no excuses for their poor record of four wins in 14 games this season.

The club cited United's Premier League average of 1.2 points per game as a source of concern, estimating that they need about 70 to finish in the top four.

Surprisingly, United cited last season's eighth-place finish and -1 goal differential in the league as further reasons to replace manager.

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