Confirmed: PGMOL at fault for Ten Hag sacking

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 5 Nov 2024 10:04 CST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Manchester United's Premier League defeat to West Ham which ultimately led to the sacking of Erik ten Hag has come under the spotlight as Howard Webb has claimed that the London club should not have been awarded a penalty late on.

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Jarrod Bowen converted the spot-kick to give the home side a 2-1 win. Being United's fourth loss in the Premier League this season, former manager Ten Hag was sacked by the Old Trafford hierarchy just 24 hours later.

The Times report that: "Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer at PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), believes it was an error for West Ham United to be awarded the decisive spot-kick in added time at the London Stadium on October 27."

United have had a poor start to the league while they also sit 21st of 36 teams in the Europa League table, having drawn their three opening fixtures.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was named as interim manager, with Ruben Amorim set to take over the club as head coach later this month after United and Sporting CP agreed a compensation package.

© IMAGO - Erik ten Hag at West Ham's London Stadium

It's thought that Ten Hag was informed of the decision by chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth at Carrington training ground the day after the loss to the Hammers.

Amorim at Man Utd

As for Amorim, the 39-year-old will remain at Sporting CP until 11 November due to a notice period clause in his contract with his first official game as Man Utd boss coming against Ipswich Town on 24 November.

Amorim won two Portuguese league titles with Sporting CP, which saw him end the club's 19-year Primeira Liga drought. Additionally, he won two League Cups and the Portuguese Supercup in 2021.

Amorim is a revered figure in Lisbon, although he has never made a secret of his desire to coach in the Premier League one day. Earlier this year, he flew to London for talks with West Ham but nothing came of it and he had to publicly apologise to Sporting and the club's supporters for engaging in talks mid-season.