Sir JIM RATCLIFFE Finally Clear The Air In An Interview Why He Kept Erik Ten Hag As United Manager After Awful Season Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly addressed the swirling rumors about Erik ten Hag’s future amidst speculation of managerial changes. Despite United’s eighth-place finish and internal discussions with potential replacements like Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino, Fans are still skeptical about his reasons but hope it paves well for united
Two and a half weeks after Manchester United’s victorious FA Cup final against Manchester City, it was officially announced that Erik ten Hag would continue as manager at Old Trafford following a comprehensive end-of-season review.
The Dutch manager faced significant scrutiny after Manchester United finished eighth in the Premier League, marking their worst league performance ever. In response, the club’s owners, INEOS, reportedly consulted with several high-profile managers, including Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino, regarding a possible replacement for ten Hag.
However, the decision was ultimately made to retain ten Hag. At The Times CEO Summit, INEOS owner Ratcliffe explained their reasoning. When asked about their faith in ten Hag, Ratcliffe succinctly replied, “Erik? Because he’s a good coach. He did exceptionally well at Ajax and had experience at Bayern Munich.” Ratcliffe’s comments were then interrupted by a question about the impact of a coach on a team’s success.
Ratcliffe elaborated, “People often think the coach is everything, similar to how it was during Alex Ferguson’s time. But if you look at Manchester United’s last 11 seasons, we’ve had several competent coaches, yet none have been successful. The issue isn’t solely the coach. It’s about the environment they work in. We’re focusing on management, practices, and the quality of the people involved — these are crucial for success at Manchester United, just as in any other business.”
Ratcliffe’s remarks echoed his recent interview with Bloomberg, where he stated that the coach “isn’t the central issue at Manchester United.” He added, “It’s a sports club. It needs to be competitive and intense, but it also requires a supportive environment, especially since we’re dealing with relatively young players. Historically, that kind of environment has been lacking.”
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag, speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS during the Euro 2024 match between England and Serbia, discussed his future at Manchester United, saying, “We still need to agree on a new contract. This isn’t a straightforward process; there’s much to discuss. United informed me that they spoke with Thomas Tuchel but ultimately decided I am their preferred manager.” He mentioned meeting club officials in Ibiza to discuss future plans, noting, “Manchester United interrupted my holiday; they unexpectedly showed up at my door. They flew to Ibiza to meet with me.” Reflecting on INEOS’s approach, he added, “INEOS took their time. They are new to football and it’s typical to review the season. They spoke with several candidates. In Holland, this approach is unheard of; it’s even prohibited. But in England, rules and customs differ. A thorough evaluation is sensible in any organization. Conclusions were drawn from that process. The new leadership is experiencing football for the first time.”
This ongoing situation at Manchester United highlights the complexities of club management and the delicate balance between managerial stability, performance assessment, and the dynamic nature of a top-tier football club.
