Man Utd conclude review of the season and decide to keep Erik ten Hag, with negotiations over a contract extension said to be under way; Ten Hag's FA Cup triumph and squads injury issues understood to have been considered in review, which saw Gareth Southgate and others sounded out for job
Wednesday 12 June 2024 15:58, UK
Erik ten Hag will stay on as Manchester United manager.
United and Ten Hag are said to be aligned after the club's end-of-season review, a process which lasted longer than two weeks and saw other managers sounded out for the role.
However, the conclusion from the review was that Ten Hag should remain in charge, and negotiations have begun over a contract extension for the Dutchman.
Ten Hag's current contract ends at the end of next season, with the club having the option of extending it by a further 12 months.
United finished a disappointing eighth, their worst finish in the Premier League era, but beat rivals Manchester City to lift the FA Cup - Ten Hag's second trophy in as many years.
Ten Hag had to contend with an injury-ravaged squad throughout the season but managed to salvage Europa League qualification with the victory over City at Wembley.
The review concluded that Ten Hag deserves a chance to show what more he is capable of within the new sporting structure implemented following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS taking charge of football operations.
Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Thomas Frank, Kieran McKenna and Gareth Southgate were all linked with taking over at Old Trafford but the club have now committed to Ten Hag.
Tuchel, Southgate and McKenna were sounded out during the review, which is said to have been more thorough than usual because of the new ownership structure. The process is expected to be similar in future.
Ratcliffe's INEOS has taken control of the club's footballing operations since becoming a minority shareholder in February and has overseen major staff changes.
Jason Wilcox has begun work as technical director, while Omar Berrada will start as the new chief executive this summer.
United's review recognised the significant achievement of winning two trophies in two seasons - particularly the quality of the FA Cup win against City.
Ten Hag's dedication is said to be admired by decision-makers at United, as well as the dignity and professionalism with which he has conducted himself.
The emergence of academy products Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo under Ten Hag and his work developing them were among the other factors considered by United.
The review also took into account mitigating factors - not least the injuries Ten Hag's players have suffered and the number of problems concentrated in key positions.
United also believe new signings, notably Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana, need time to bed in, while Mason Mount spent most of last season sidelined through injury.
Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth:
"Remember, he did maintain through all of his talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he believed he would be the man to lead Manchester United forward, that he was under contract until next summer at least and he had no reason to believe he wasn't going to be the manager.
"Manchester United have been conducting their post-season review after that FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
"After that review of the last season and first-team operations, the club and Erik ten Hag held constructive discussions about what happened over the past season and what could happen in the future.
"Manchester United considered all eventualities. They did speak to other managers and representatives of other managers - Thomas Tuchel, Kieran McKenna and Mauricio Pochettino. But the conclusion after that review and all of those talks was that Ten Hag would remain as manager.
"The club and Ten Hag are believed to be aligned and have now entered negotiations over a contract extension. This is really significant. He's got one year left on his contract."
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
"It's a pleasant surprise for Erik ten Hag, he always knew it was touch and go whether he was going to keep his job at Old Trafford. He has been on holiday in Spain waiting patiently for contact from United, and they did contact him and told him the review was over and they wanted to stick with him.
"The complication is he's only got one year left on his contract. When you're a manager of the stature of Erik ten Hag, you need more security than that. This summer, if he had left United, he could have managed Ajax again and he could have managed Bayern Munich. If he had done that, he would have got the security of a three or four-year contract.
"So the really interesting development is that United are now holding talks with him to extend his contract.
"It's not good enough for United to have a review and say 'we've explored all eventualities and you'll do for the time being'. Ten Hag deserves more than that. He needs to be backed fully. That means giving him a contract and the security of a three or four year deal and that will send a message out to the fans, to the wider community and to the United squad that Ten Hag is here to stay, he's the owners' man and he is the one who calls the shots.
"If he gets his new deal, Ten Hag will have no excuses. Because Sir Jim Ratcliffe will say he is now calling the shots in the club's football operations.
"With a new chief executive, a new sporting director, a new technical director, everything is in place for Ten Hag to be successful. No excuses.
"Obviously, United still need to work on their training ground and do up Old Trafford as well. But plans are in place to do that."
