Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United remains one of the major talking points in the Premier League ahead of the summer transfer window.
After steering the club back into the Champions League group stages and ending a six-year title duck with League Cup success in his maiden season at Old Trafford, the Dutchman has lost his mojo.
His tenure at United has been marred by inconsistent performances and underwhelming results, leaving many questioning his ability to lead the club to sustained success.
When the Red Devils finished bottom of their Champions League group this term, many people saw it as a blessing in disguise.
That was an unmitigated disaster, but it at least allowed Ten Hag to prioritise securing another top-four finish. Instead, everything came crashing down in the Premier League.
Man Utd will most likely miss out on Europe’s elite football next season, causing unrest among club supporters and sparking doubt within the Old Trafford hierarchy over the 54-year-old’s long-term future in Manchester.
New shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly eager to sack the ex-Ajax manager, but the record-time English champions haven’t found a suitable replacement.
Lack of options to throw Ten Hag a lifeline
Sacking Ten Hag is the easy part. However, finding a proper successor has proved to be an uphill task.
Gareth Southgate’s emergence as the most genuine candidate to fill the vacancy speaks enough about a lack of valid options.
Regardless of England’s result at the upcoming 2024 European Championships, hiring Southgate would be a step backwards.
Antonio Conte’s well-documented habit of tarnishing relationships with his employers after the first two campaigns doesn’t fit Man United’s bid to build a long-term project.
Jose Mourinho’s previous stint at the club didn’t go as planned despite the Europa League triumph, while time seems to have left his football philosophy in the dust.
Since the pair are the most attractive names currently available, Man United would be forgiven for handing Ten Hag one last opportunity to meet expectations.
