Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could make Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision for him this summer and step aside if he is asked to change his role from that of a manager to coach.
That is according to The Daily Star, who state Erik ten Hag could look to walk away from Old Trafford this summer as he is not prepared to lose control over recruitment to take up a “head coach” role.
The 54-year-old recently reached 100 matches in charge of the Red Devils since joining from Dutch giants Ajax before the beginning of the 2022/23 term. Ten Hag enjoyed a productive first season on the red side of Manchester, helping the club back into the UEFA Champions League and to an EFL Cup final win over Newcastle United at Wembley.
However, the Dutchman has struggled to guide his side to similar heights so far this term, with Manchester United currently in sixth, nine points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa. Finishing fifth in the Premier League could yet be good enough to earn a place in the Champions League via UEFA performance spots for next season’s new expanded competition.
Ten Hag has a contract until 2025, with the option of a further year. But he has been left vulnerable by an underwhelming campaign. Manchester United would have to pay him around £10 million in compensation to appoint a new head coach.
Erik ten Hag not ready to accept reduced role
The report adds that the Dutchman will likely have to accept a tweaked role if he remains in the Old Trafford dugout beyond the summer, and he will have to let go of some of the managerial powers.
Ten Hag’s recruitment track record as Manchester United manager has been poor after splurging over £400 million in two years. So, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to be keen on allowing specialist sporting directors to sanction deals in the future.
The Red Devils’ manager will not be allowed the same flexibility to sign players on his radar, as he has done in the Dutch Eredivisie and abroad. If Manchester United miss out on Champions League qualification this season, Ten Hag may not be in the hot seat before the summer transfer window kicks in.
It is suggested that England manager Gareth Southgate is Ratcliffe’s No. 1 target if he wants a change in the dugout at the end of the campaign. Southgate is well-liked by INEOS chiefs Sir Dave Brailsford and Dan Ashworth and will be out of contract in December following this summer’s Euro 2024.
