Erik ten Hag has been terminated from his managerial position from Manchester United. For the most part, it's been expected to happen for a while. This comes from poor performances and results. There were also odd squad selections.
His sacking wasn't an easy decision to make. It was said to be, "dificult and finely-balanced." His payout is said to be £13.5 million. He was taken aback from the decision. The decision was said to be unanimous after Sunday's defeat to West Ham.
Even despite the poor form, ten Hag was under the belief that the team was on the right path. The board were of a different opinion. They believed that there wasn't room for any excuses, given everything that ten Hag was given ahead of this season. At present, Unitd have won 4 out of 14 games.
Former Man Utd player, Gary Neville, said, "No-one watches United and doesn't think the players are better than what they are showing. The lack of identity and style is something that has been a mystery for the last two-and-a-half seasons."
A club statement said, "We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future,"
It's said that there are three players who disappointed ten Hag: Marcus Rashford; Casemiro and Antony. Rashford has only scored one goal and had a similar form last season. Casemiro has been baraged with criticism this season. It could be said that it began in the summer when he was constantly linked to a Saudi Arabia move. His performance against Liverpool was atrocious. Antony was the biggest disappointment. He cost Man Utd £86 million . In Total, ten Hag spent £600 million. People have considered squandered money.
One comment that kept on coming up within the club was, "no one can understand why Ten Hag is still there." This comment goes as far back as November 2023. It's also noted that different managers talked about how easy it was to face and beat Man Utd. One senior coach was said to call ten Hag a, "fraud." A senior member of INEOS had said, "I told you this would happen."
ten Hag could never impose a proper football idea or even clarify what he really wanted. Not least to the players. There was only a brief spell when United looked exciting or like a proper team, which was in the few months that culminated in the 2023 League Cup final win. That 2-0 was pretty much it. It’s been 18 months of poor results and often worse performances.
Through that time, players became increasingly baffled by tactics and decisions. Training sessions were long and boring and there were constant questions over whether their intensity contributed to physical drop-offs and even injury. In addition to being overworked, some of the squad were just bored. Many are now understood to be "relieved" - some much more so than others.
It's believed that ten Hag had clashes with high ranking officals at the club. He struggled to work with Jason Wilcox. ten Hag was under the belief that Wilcox lacked the proper credentials that goes with his job (as a technical director). The two men would later patch things up and that it was water under the bridge.
To be honest, I'm not suprised by this. Lately, when I see United losing, I just laugh. When they faced Porto, I wasn't suprised when, at one point, United was leading 2-0; only for Porto to get to 2-2 and when they scored a third. I was hoping for more from ten Hag but he has to take responsibility for the actions and results of the matches. I know he will have success elsewhere.