Why Ten Hag should walk away from Man Utd

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 10 Jun 2024 11:56 BST
• 4 min read

It's been over two weeks since Erik ten Hag lifted the FA Cup with Manchester United, yet Ineos have not clarified whether he will continue as the club’s head coach.

Regardless of opinions on whether the Dutchman is the right man to lead the team forward or whether his performance last season warrants dismissal, Ineos’s handling of the situation has been appalling on a human level. Ten Hag continues to be strung along as the club speaks to other managers about the position, with a failed meeting with former Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel being the latest.

Even though Ten Hag left on holiday and requested clarity on his position, Ineos have not provided any. This writer has often expressed that Dutchman may not be the right man for the job, citing his recruitment and inability to set up a team that can dominate games. However, that does not justify his current treatment.

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It’s a significant humiliation for a man who, despite everything, tried his best. Ineos are stringing him along under the guise of a thorough review of the situation. But regardless of how they attempt to paint the process through the national media, it just comes across as weak and indecisive.

Starting at a new club is always challenging, especially one as big and jaded as Man Utd. But Ineos have been there for six months, and the initial signs have not been great.

The idea of laying off staff and segregating those on a lower pay bracket from players in the canteen might be justified if it accompanied a ruthlessness regarding football decisions too, however, this is far from the case.

They told reporters a decision would be made last week, prompting some journalists to feel emboldened enough to tweet gifs of hourglasses, but it never arrived. They keep extending the time period in way a that seems like they don't have any idea themselves of when a decision would be made.

Now, it’s believed the process could extend well into the transfer window, maybe even months. But the way they have handle this all has made Ten Hag’s position is untenable regardless. If they decide he should stay, as most Man Utd fans seemingly would like, how can he be respected among squad members after all this? It’s not possible.

A decision over his future would have been made after the FA Cup final if they had one set in stone. Could it be that the victory over Man City at Wembley swayed their decision? And if so, how can you not have a Plan B ready and waiting? Reports suggest Ineos are split, with different ideas about the man they want in charge. No one knows what’s truly going on, and valuable time is being wasted ahead of the 2024/25 season.

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Ineos might eventually bring about a golden era for Man Utd perhaps even more successful than Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure, but right now they are getting it all wrong. They must do the right thing before Ten Hag sees sense and does it himself.

Read more about: Premier League, Man Utd