What next for Erik ten Hag after Man Utd sacking?

Tom Weber

Updated: 28 Oct 2024 15:07 GMT
5 min read

Erik ten Hag's ill-fated stint at Manchester United is over. So where does he go from here?

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The Dutchman lasted just a little over two years at Old Trafford, though he has gone down in history as the most successful Man Utd manager post-Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, Ten Hag was ultimately unable to get the Red Devils back on their perch and has now had to pay the price after leading the club to their worst-ever Premier League finish and then their worst start to a new season.

Ten Hag's stint got off to the worst possible start back in 2022 and the signs that this project would ultimately come tumbling down were there to see from the jump, with things getting gradually worse after his debut campaign.

So what next for the 54-year-old?

Don't expect a quick Ten Hag return

Clubs will have concerns about appointing Ten Hag. At Man Utd, he showed himself completely incapable of taking responsibility and he became increasingly belligerent and delusional as time wore on and the pressure mounted.

Ten Hag's inability to convincingly engage with the media will be a major red flag, though few clubs in the world face as much scrutiny as the Red Devils. Moreover, the fact that the Dutchman was incapable of adjusting and evolving his game will also be a worry for those who can look beyond his lack of communication skills.

Ten Hag was hired to implement a modern, progressive, possession-based style but he quickly realised that he was unable to do this, instead shifting his focus on drilling the 'best transition team in the world' - but he failed at this, too.

That said, in the summer, when there was already talk of him getting the boot, credible media sources insisted that Ten Hag would not have trouble finding a new job.

The Dutchman is still highly-regarded in the industry for his impressive accomplishments at Ajax and he enjoys particular backing in his native Netherlands. A return home, however, seems unlikely at this stage.

The Eredivisie's three biggest clubs are well set at present and there will be concerns over Ten Hag's financial demands, having just managed arguably the largest side in the world and earning a reported annual wage of around €8 million.

A move to one of Europe's big-five leagues appears much more likely, but the options are slim. The Tottenham job is the most prominent one that could be available soon, with the pressure ramping up on Ange Postecoglou after Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

Man City could be on the hunt for a new coach in the summer should Pep Guardiola indeed decide to depart, but would they hire Ten Hag? It is doubtful and the same goes for Real Madrid, who want to make Xabi Alonso the successor to Carlo Ancelotti.

Would Ten Hag be prepared to go to a club like Everton? It is unclear, but the Premier League relegation battlers could soon get some major funding from the Friedkins and, with a new stadium to look forward to, could look to make a statement appointment.

Lyon in Ligue 1 and AC Milan and AS Roma in Italy could also soon be on the hunt for a new coach, while Nuri Sahin's position at Borussia Dortmund is the subject of heated debate in Germany, though the club legend is unlikely to face the sack anytime soon.

Ten Hag previously worked for Bayern Munich, but they will not panic regarding the future of Vincent Kompany despite uninspiring performances in the Champions League.

Having consulted Dutch football experts for this article, a move into international management does not appear to be an option for Ten Hag at present.

At the moment, there is little reason for the 54-year-old to be gunning for a quick return to management. The most likely scenario is that he won't be seen again until the summer and perhaps even beyond after what must have been a draining experience at Old Trafford.