Manchester United Sacks Erik Ten Hag Following Disastrous Season Start

Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United’s first-team manager, the Premier League club has announced.

United suffered their fourth Premier League defeat of the season on Sunday against West Ham and currently find themselves in the bottom half of the table.

They have managed to secure just one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions.

A club statement read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

Regarding potential replacements for Ten Hag, Ruben Amorim is hesitant to leave Sporting Lisbon in the middle of the season. The Portuguese coach is among the candidates being considered by the struggling club at Old Trafford as they look to determine their next steps following the sacking of the Dutchman.

The 39-year-old has become one of the most highly-rated coaches in Europe and is now widely seen as Pep Guardiola’s likeliest successor at Manchester City, having previously lauded the Spaniard as “a reference for all managers”.

That interest has come from the manner he has restored Sporting to the top of Portuguese football, as they already sit on top of the league after titles in 2020-21 and 2023-24.

This is why Amorim is reluctant to leave the club mid-season, and the situation is made more complex by a substantial buyout clause of approximately €20 million for any foreign club.

Thomas Tuchel had been seen as the most viable replacement only to sign up with England, and United are monitoring a lot of the same names they looked at in the summer.

Brentford’s Thomas Frank remains of interest. Although there has been contact with Xavi Hernandez through intermediaries, the former Barcelona coach is seen as highly unlikely.

Amorim, who was previously a strong contender for the Liverpool job before they chose Arne Slot, is regarded as a manager capable of bringing both authority and a contemporary coaching perspective to a club.

Additionally, United faces the challenge of Amorim having several other potential opportunities available to him.

Amirom is close to Sporting’s current technical director Hugo Viana, with the latter’s pending appointment at City leading many to believe that the manager’s eventual arrival there is a fait accompli.

Amorim was nevertheless a bit more open on the issue in the last few weeks, insisting that he and Viana aren’t necessarily on the same path.

There are numerous variables regarding the situation at City, especially since Guardiola may still choose to remain at the club.

Additionally, uncertainty looms over the club due to the ongoing hearing concerning the 115 charges related to breaches of Premier League regulations.