Why Manchester United Should Have Sacked Erik ten Hag Last Summer

The Dilemma of Change: Analyzing Manchester United's Decision to Part Ways with Erik ten Hag

As anyone involved in a struggling relationship knows, the moment doubts creep in, it often signals the need for a decisive change. This sentiment resonates with the recent situation at Manchester United, where reluctance to act on clear signs of decline has led to a tempestuous season for the club. Erik ten Hag's tenure, which began with promise, devolved into a series of disappointing performances, leaving the club with no choice but to make a significant managerial change.

Delayed Decision-Making: A Recipe for Disaster

Instead of addressing the pressing question of Ten Hag's effectiveness earlier, Manchester United hesitated, waiting until after a humiliating defeat against West Ham to take action. Such hesitance is reminiscent of individuals who ignore red flags until they become impossible to overlook. Had the club acted decisively in May, following one of the team's worst seasons in Premier League history, they could have mitigated some of the turmoil.

Missed Opportunities for Change

During the previous season, numerous opportunities arose for the club to reconsider their managerial choices. Notable low points included:

• September 2023: A home loss to Brighton followed by defeat against Crystal Palace.
• October: Back-to-back 3-0 home losses to Manchester City and Newcastle.
• December: A disheartening exit from the Champions League and a 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth.

Throughout this period, ownership uncertainties loomed large, stalling any significant changes. The negotiations for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority stake provided a temporary reprieve, enabling results to improve. However, this improvement was short-lived, culminating in a devastating 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace towards the end of the season.

A Crossroads: Evaluating Potential Successors

As Ratcliffe and the INEOS team contemplated a managerial shift, they explored various candidates, including Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, and Thomas Tuchel. Interestingly, a surprise FA Cup final victory against Manchester City altered their course, leading them to retain Ten Hag instead of pursuing one of these alternatives.

Late Realizations and Moving Forward

The reluctance to acknowledge past misjudgments played an important role in the club's approach to Ten Hag's continue tenure, even after miserable defeats against Liverpool and Tottenham to open the current season. Ultimately, the board's decision to act on their conclusions has been proven to be necessary, albeit belatedly. As the saying goes, better late than never, but the club's indecision has surely come at a significant cost.

Conclusion: A New Era Awaits Manchester United

With the unfortunate end of Ten Hag's era, Manchester United now stands at a critical junction. The lessons learned from this chapter will hopefully prompt a more proactive approach in future management decisions. As they search for a new leader, the club must prioritize stability and a clear vision to avoid further missteps as they navigate the tumultuous waters of competitive football.

Call to Action

What are your thoughts on Manchester United's decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag? Share your opinions in the comments below! For more insights into sports management decisions, check out our related articles on decision-making in sports and managerial changes in the Premier League.