Manchester United have wished Erik ten Hag ‘well for the future’ in a statement after sacking the Dutchman on Monday morning.
Ten Hag’s departure comes just one day after their disappointing 2-1 defeat by West Ham which has left the Red Devils 14th in the Premier League table.
In a statement on the club website, United said: ‘Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.
‘Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
‘We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.
Erik ten Hag has been sacked by Manchester United after their miserable start to the season
United’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday proved to be the final straw for United’s chiefs
‘Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited’.
The Dutchman, who had his contract extended through to 2026 in July, is likely to pocket a significant compensation package after being axed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos just three months into the new campaign.
Club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy will take over at Old Trafford on an interim basis, while Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, Borussia Dortmund‘s Edin Terzic and ex-Barcelona boss Xavi have been linked with the role permanently.
Thomas Tuchel, who United considered in the summer, has since been named Gareth Southgate’s successor by the Football Association and will take charge of England from January.
Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against West Ham proved the final straw for Manchester United’s chiefs, with the club now three wins, two draws and four losses from their opening nine games of the season.
Casemiro thought he had at least rescued a point at the London Stadium when he equalised in the 81st minute to cancel out Crysencio Summerville’s strike, but Jarrod Bowen‘s controversial stoppage-time penalty consigned Ten Hag to yet another disappointing defeat.
Significant pressure had mounted on Ten Hag ahead of the second international break of the season in October, prompting Manchester United to hold an executive meeting in London, led by Ratcliffe.
Ten Hag led the club to two trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024
Ruud van Nistelrooy (left) will take charge of the United first-team on an interim basis
Poll
Were Man United right to sack Erik ten Hag?
- Yes, he had to go 14120 votes
- No, he needed more time 3508 votes
The senior leadership team opted to stick by the Dutchman, while also choosing to ‘sack’ legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson from his £2.61million ambassadorial role at the club.
Ten Hag joined the club in the summer of 2022 and has since won two trophies at Old Trafford — the Carabao Cup during his debut season and FA Cup at the close of last campaign.
However, Manchester United’s league form worsened significantly over the course of Ten Hag’s reign, with the club finishing eighth last season and currently languishing in the bottom half of the table so far this term.
Ten Hag had kept his job at the end of last season thanks to their FA Cup final win over Manchester City, despite leading the club to their lowest finish in the Premier League era and being knocked out of the group stage in the Champions League.
