INEOS will look to reduce Erik ten Hag’s involvement in transfer activity starting from the summer, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe lays down new rules.
According to Football Insider, INEOS chiefs will want to reduce Erik ten Hag’s involvement in transfer activity starting from the summer window. The new incumbents of football operation at Old Trafford feat the Dutchman has too much influence on those matters as they prepare to lay down new rules.
Erik ten Hag’s reduced role in transfers
There is an air of change at Manchester United with new stakeholders, and INEOS are likely to start wielding their influence in the coming period. Led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford, INEOS acquired a 25% stake in the club for a cost of around £1.3 billion, which has given them the keys to football operation.
INEOS are keen to bring their influence to the table and make some drastic changes to the way the club has been run for a long time. That includes a different approach towards operating the footballing side, with transfers very much at the forefront of their thoughts.
First and foremost, INEOS are keen to appoint a new sporting director to set the tone for some aspects of their operations. Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth remains a key target, although there are several other high-profile names on that list too.
Secondly, they are keen to reduce Erik ten Hag’s involvement in transfers, as they face the growing influence on the Dutchman due to his connections with the Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) agency. That company became a go-to agency for Manchester United to help them with player transfers and negotiations.
There are some constant deals under their belt, including that of Antony, Andre Onana and Mason Mount, which Manchester United reportedly overpaid for considering their market valuation at the time. Hence, INEOS Chiefs are keen to run the club in their style, and while they are ready to take Ten Hag’s inputs on transfer targets, they want him involved less and less.
Does Erik ten Hag have a future at Manchester United?
As the INEOS involvement came close to confirmation, there were questions asked of Ten Hag’s immediate future at the club. While Manchester United are not going to sack the Dutchman, at least until the summer, there are some doubts about his long-term stay at Old Trafford.
Rumours of an approach for Antonio Conte are already rife, while there are other managers in the queue as well if media reports are to be believed. While Manchester United might seem to be progressing again under Ten Hag, INEOS might also have ideas to bring their manager on board in the summer at the expense of the Dutchman.
