With Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United secure until the summer, the question now becomes whether the club should, and indeed will, retain the Dutch manager for the long haul. While the command over United’s football strategy is in the hands of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the ultimate verdict on Ten Hag’s future may get swayed by Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada’s opinions, the soon-to-be technical director and CEO, respectively. (Assuming no reimbursement terms are reached with Newcastle, allowing Dan Ashworth to commence his role as the football head at Old Trafford ahead of the summer). We weigh the positives and negatives of the powers that be maintaining their current manager beyond this season.
The Case in Favour
Health issues and injuries cannot be discounted
One of the oldest cliche in football is blaming poor performances on ailing or injured players. But when, for United this season, the absentee list of first-team players hits two digits, injuries, and illnesses can no longer be brushed off as an excuse. With a significantly healthier and robust squad, Ten Hag led United to two cup finals last season, winning one, and securing the third position in the Premier League. Perhaps this should be the reference for assessing his capabilities, rather than his performance this season with a depleted squad.
Has demonstrated capacity to manage a transitional club
Akin to his nationality, Ten Hag is well acquainted with the tale of the boy who used a finger to stop a dyke from causing a flood in Haarlem. The 54-year-old epitomises this narrative as a United manager who had to overcome numerous external challenges to keep his plans afloat. Ten Hag’s strength was commendably visible last season, evident in how he dealt with Cristiano Ronaldo’s strike action (on two occasions) and the Glazers’ decision to sell the club. This season, he has also notably managed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s reorganisation of the club – after the minority shareholder’s Christmas Eve arrival at Old Trafford – with characteristic grace and calm.
Has a proven track record in leading a team to cup finals.
Without a doubt, Sunday was disconcerting for everyone involved, but it concluded with the team progressing to their second FA Cup final in two back-to-back seasons. Manchester City will be their competitors at Wembley on the 25th of May. This would be their third final counting the Carabao Cup of last season. Ten Hag has earned significant recognition for this achievement. As he noted after the victory over Coventry, United reached three Wembley finals in the decade before Ten Hag’s leadership. In only a fifth of that time, Ten Hag has matched that figure and might secure a second consecutive season trophy. His track record is also remarkable when compared to Mikel Arteta, who faced doubts in his initial two years at Arsenal. Ten Hag has a win percentage of 57.94%, closely parallel to Arteta’s 58%.
The potential to replace Gareth Southgate is still in play
Enthusiasts such as Ratcliffe and his principal consultant, Sir Dave Brailsford, express admiration for Gareth Southgate. However, any efforts to recruit him must be postponed until the conclusion of England’s Euro 2024 campaign. This could present Ten Hag the opportunity to prove himself during the initial weeks of the upcoming season. In case he falls short, Brailsford can swiftly call upon his trusted associate to rectify the situation. The reaction from United’s supporters to such an event remains uncertain.
The case against Ten Hag
Lacks keen judgement in player selection
Out of Ten Hag’s 16 signings; Lisandro Martínez, Antony, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Wout Weghorst, Sofyan Amrabat, Marcel Sabitzer and Christian Eriksen, nine fall under the categories of performing below expectations – Antony, Sabitzer, Weghorst, Amrabat, Eriksen – or being persistently injured – Casemiro, Malacia, Mount and Martínez. Even though multiple injuries endured by the latter four might not be their direct fault, the stark reality is that a player’s extended unavailability is detrimental to his coach. Ten Hag was significantly involved in signing all these players, including the first group, where their subpar performance has significantly influenced the results.
Deficient in establishing a transparent gameplay strategy
There has been a judgment that Ten Hag’s United lack a detailed strategy aside from preventing goals from the many attempts they allow, resulting in them having to get more goals than their rivals to win. Last season, this method worked reasonably well when a number of significant players were in form for a longer period. However, this term, given the extended casualty/ailment list, Ten Hag’s approach has come across as a risky, haphazard risk. The absence of midfield balance, which has greatly added to the recent spilling of late goals, has intensified this problem. It might be wise for Ratcliffe and his team to carefully scrutinise Ten Hag’s matches with Ajax, determining if his gutsy methods holds his preferred tactic.
Coaching inquiries
The assertion by Casemiro that United, as a group, “panicked” during the Coventry game casts doubt on Ten Hag’s coaching, suggesting flawed training ground practice and the manager’s failure to get his team ready for varying game situations. A player who is consistently instructed on what action to take under certain circumstances should ideally be able to perform these directives; if Ten Hag is providing necessary guidance but his players aren’t following through, then he should consider withdrawing them from the first XI until they can handle it successfully.
Thomas Tuchel is an option
You can’t overlook a man who claimed the Champions League trophy by outwitting Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the finale. For additional commendation, look over his tenures at Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich – teams rife with internal politics – and the plain truth that he’ll be free from June onwards after agreeing to exit his current position at the Allianz Arena. Thomas Tuchel’s known moody demeanour could deter Liverpool, who are also hunting for a new manager; thus, United might seize this golden opportunity to secure a champion manager.