NEW DELHI: Manchester United have finally made the bold move, dismissing Erik ten Hag following a 2-1 defeat at West Ham as the club feels stranded in 14th place in the Premier League points table.
The Dutch coach, appointed in 2022, initially brought hope by securing the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in consecutive seasons.
However, inconsistent performances, a disappointing 8th-place finish last season, and a sluggish start to the current campaign left United with little choice but to make yet another managerial change.
The departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 marked the beginning of a turbulent era for United, with the club struggling to find a successor capable of replicating his success.
David Moyeshandpicked by Ferguson, was sacked after just 10 months (295 days), failing to bring stability or results.
Club legend Ryan Giggs briefly took over as caretaker and continued to hold the fort for 68 days, offering a temporary fix before the arrival of Louis van Gaal.
The Dutchman won an FA Cup but failed to implement his “philosophy,” leading to his dismissal after 679 days at the job.
In 2016, José Mourinho’s appointment was seen as a chance to re-establish United’s dominance. Despite delivering trophies, including the Europa League and League Cup, his tenure was marked by tension and inconsistency, ultimately ending in a fractured relationship with the club after 900 days.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaeranother club icon, brought excitement back with his attacking style and a memorable Champions League comeback against PSG. However, his inability to deliver silverware or consistent league form led to his exit in 2021 after 969 days as full-time boss at the club.
Interim stints from Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick failed to stabilize the team, leaving ten Hag to rebuild a squad still reeling from years of upheaval.
Initially hailed as the solution, Ten Hag’s early success faded as the team faltered.
With Manchester United underperforming again this season, and with INEOS’s potential takeover looming, the club felt compelled to act swiftly, limiting the Dutchman’s tenure to 850 days.
Managers at Manchester United since Alex Ferguson left (matches managed):
- David Moyes (51)
- Ryan Giggs (4)
- Louis van Gaal (103)
- Jose Mourinho (144)
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (19) – in interim role
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (149)
- Michael Carrick (3)
- Ralf Rangnick (29)
- Erik ten Hag (128)
The search for yet another manager is now underway, but the question remains: can anyone finally revive United’s fortunes and bring them back to the top of English football?
