Erik ten Hag ‘still has the backing of key figures at Man United’ following FA Cup win… as part-owners INEOS prepare to make a final decision on his future this week
- Erik ten Hag’s future seems uncertain after a difficult 2023/24 season
- He reportedly still has the support of some club chiefs after winning the FA Cup
- Kane first, Saka second… which player in Gareth Southgate’s squad has the third most goals for England? Listen to the It all starts! Podcast
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly has the backing of a number of key figures at the club amid uncertainty over whether he will remain at Old Trafford beyond this summer.
Reports emerged on Friday that club chiefs had made the decision to sack Ten Hag after Saturday’s FA Cup final following an eighth-place finish in the Premier League, even if United managed to beat arch-rivals Manchester City at Wembley.
The Red Devils were given very little chance to pull off a upset, but they stunned Pep Guardiola’s men with perhaps their best performance of the season, winning 2-1 to hand Ten Hag his second trophy in as many campaigns on Old Trafford.
New co-owners INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford, are now conducting an end-of-season review to determine his future, and a number of prominent figures behind the scenes are keen for Ten Hag to stay, according to reports The independent.
It looks like things will be exciting for the Dutchman as United have already spoken to candidates who could potentially replace him.
Erik ten Hag’s future at Man United is up in the air after winning the FA Cup on Saturday
INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) and Sir Dave Brailsford (left), is conducting an end-of-season review, and some key figures at the club reportedly want Ten Hag to stay
They have held talks with Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Frank, Kieran McKenna and Thomas Tuchel about taking over the United hotseat.
Brailsford is also known to be an admirer of Gareth Southgate, but the England boss has insisted he will not speak to clubs until after this summer’s European Championship.
Yet United could now stick with Ten Hag, with club chiefs aware that removing him from his position would be an unpopular move with the fanbase after Saturday’s unexpected victory over City.
It is understood the club’s new structure is not ‘divided’ on whether to back Ten Hag, but they will consider all options before making a decision this week on whether he should stay or not.
Ten Hag was in a defiant mood after the final whistle on Saturday as he made a desperate final throw to keep his job, claiming the club was ‘a mess’ when he first arrived in 2022.
He also made a cheeky comment on United legend Roy Keane’s managerial record as he pointed out the difficulties he has faced at the club this season due to an unprecedented number of injuries.
Ten Hag was in a defiant mood on Saturday and even launched a brutal attack on Roy Keane as he looked to keep his job
He received strong support from the United fans at Wembley, with supporters calling on social media for him to be given another chance to turn things around next season after the team’s worst ever result in the Premier League.
But Ratcliffe refused to be drawn on his future as he walked through the Wembley media zone on Saturday evening, refusing to answer a reporter’s question about whether he planned to sack Ten Hag even after lifting the first trophy of the INEOS era won.
