Before the FA Cup final, his end seemed to be sealed – but now coach Erik ten Hag has even extended his contract at Manchester United. Will this bring peace and quiet?
It’s almost as spectacular as a change of manager: Manchester United are not only starting the new season with Erik ten Hag, but have also extended the Dutchman’s contract, which was originally due to run until 2025, until 2026. The English record champions made what had already been announced official on Thursday.
Before the surprising and deserved FA Cup final win against Manchester City (2:1) at the end of May, ten Hag’s departure seemed to have already been decided. But although Man United had the worst Premier League season in its history – finishing eighth for the first time, losing 14 games for the first time and conceding 58 goals for the first time – the bosses around the new co-owner Sir James Ratcliffe, who is responsible for the entire sporting side of the business, decided to move forward with ten Hag. While the 54-year-old was on vacation in Ibiza, those responsible took more than two weeks to analyze the season and, according to media reports, even held exploratory talks with Thomas Tuchel during this time.
“Erik is the best partner for us “
However, while still on vacation, ten Hag received the news that he would be allowed to remain in office – a delegation from the Red Devils had flown to see him. “They suddenly appeared on my doorstep and told me that they wanted to continue with me,” he told Dutch broadcaster NOS in mid-June. “They told me that they had spoken to other coaches. In the end, they came to the conclusion that they already have the best one in the house. “
This was confirmed by new sporting director Dan Ashworth in a club statement on Thursday: “The club’s review of last season highlighted areas for improvement, but also made it clear that Erik is the best partner for us to improve standards and results.” ten Hag himself also sees “hard work” ahead of him and the club “to reach the level expected by Manchester United. In my discussions with the club, we are completely united in our vision to achieve these goals and we are all determined to go down this path together. “
The hardest currency speaks for ten Hag: titles
The coach himself had already reckoned with his departure. “If they don’t want me anymore,” ten Hag had defiantly declared after the FA Cup final, “I’ll go somewhere else and win titles there. Because that’s what I do.” And that was probably a decisive argument for him to stay. Because he won the League Cup in his first season, ten Hag already has two titles (and three finals) in two years – which is what Man United has always been about.
Ten Hag therefore goes into the new season stronger than ever – but that was also the case last summer after winning the League Cup and qualifying for the Champions League. He himself knows exactly how quickly the calm at Old Trafford can be over again
