Erik ten Hag is confident he will remain Manchester United’s manager next season after holding talks with the club’s hierarchy ahead of the FA Cup final. Despite overseeing United’s worst season in 34 years and their lowest finish in the Premier League era, eighth place, Ten Hag believes his position is secure.
Reports on Friday suggested he might be dismissed even if United win the Cup against Manchester City at Wembley. However, Ten Hag revealed he has already met with new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe to review the season and does not need further assurances about his future. “It is not necessary, we will go for next season,” Ten Hag stated, adding that he will start his vacation on Sunday.
Several names have been speculated as potential successors if Ten Hag is fired, including Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, and England manager Gareth Southgate.
British billionaire Ratcliffe acquired a 27.7% stake in United in February and tasked Ten Hag with securing Champions League qualification, which he failed to achieve. Previous United managers David Moyes and Louis van Gaal were dismissed after missing out on the Champions League, as were Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when it became clear they were unlikely to secure a place among Europe’s elite.
The best Ten Hag can hope for now is Europa League qualification if United win the FA Cup.
City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed sympathy for Ten Hag, who has had to deal with numerous injuries, with defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw ruled out for the final. However, Guardiola acknowledges the pressure on Ten Hag to deliver a trophy. “In big clubs like United and City, when you don’t win you are always in trouble. It is not a secret,” Guardiola said. “We have done what we have done, but I would be in trouble if we didn’t win.”
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