Manchester United’s newly appointed technical director Jason Wilcox will spend the next month auditing manager Erik ten Hag, per reports from The Telegraph.
Wilcox joined from Southampton on Friday and immediately set out to assess the manager, his credentials, training sessions and relationship with the dressing room.
Ten Hag is under pressure at Man United after a poor second season in charge.
United crashed out unceremoniously from the Champions League, finishing last in a group with FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
They failed to defend their League Cup title as last year’s finalists Newcastle United took revenge and knocked them out in the round of 16.
The FA Cup offers United a chance to salvage something from the season, but the manner of their qualification to the final failed to inspire.
The Reds held a 3-0 lead over Coventry City this weekend, but Mark Robins’ side battled back into the game, tying proceedings at 3-3. United legend Roy Keane claimed Ten Hag’s team looked like a Championship side.
United eventually won on penalties, setting up another final against Manchester City on May 25, but there were renewed doubts about whether Ten Hag should keep his job.
Wilcox has been tasked with providing a thorough assessment of Ten Hag’s strengths and weaknesses, while speaking with the manager, staff and players during his analysis.
He will also gauge his relationship with the squad to determine whether his approach fits into the overarching philosophy new part-owners INEOS intend to pursue.
Wilcox will explore whether the Ten Hag can operate within the ‘game model’ he and incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth want to implement.
He will also decide if a change of manager is necessary, although United have not found a standout managerial candidate.
The immediate focus on auditing manager Ten Hag’s performance speaks volumes about the current state of affairs at Old Trafford.
However, while evaluating the manager’s effectiveness is crucial, there is a delicate balance to maintain.
Constant scrutiny from the technical director can undermine Ten Hag’s authority and disrupt the team dynamics.
Wilcox must recognise that while accountability is necessary, peering over Ten Hag’s shoulders might not yield the desired results.
