Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United has come to an abrupt end, as the club’s new INEOS-led sporting leadership dismissed the Dutchman following a disappointing start to the 2024-25 season.
Ten Hag’s sacking follows a 2-1 loss to West Ham United, leaving United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League with only one win in their last eight games.
Despite Ten Hag’s initial success at United, his departure underscores the club’s struggle to regain its former dominance, and raises questions about the management direction under INEOS’ new sporting leadership. Ten Hag’s inability to inspire a turnaround has only deepened the club’s recent woes, and the decision to part ways signals a renewed urgency for change at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s turbulent season has taken a dramatic turn with the sacking of Erik ten Hag, just over two years after he was appointed manager. United’s new sporting leaders under INEOS made the decision following yet another defeat—this time a 2-1 loss to West Ham on Sunday—that left the Red Devils in 14th place in the Premier League and continued their dismal form with only one win in their last eight matches.
Ten Hag’s exit comes as the culmination of a series of disappointing performances and missed opportunities that marred United’s early season. Last year’s eighth-place finish in the Premier League was a significant dip, but the club stood by the Dutchman with hopes he could reinvigorate the squad. However, the 2024-25 season has proven disastrous; United have not only struggled to secure points but have also been plagued by defeats to lower-ranked teams, failing to beat Crystal Palace, Twente Enschede, Porto, and Aston Villa, and suffering high-profile losses to rivals like Liverpool and Tottenham.
The decision to sack Ten Hag comes despite efforts by United’s board to keep him on through the October international break, with hopes he could find a tactical solution to United’s recent slump. Yet Sunday’s loss to West Ham seemed to seal his fate.
During his tenure, Ten Hag had initially appeared to be the steady hand United needed after years of managerial instability since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. His first season saw United regain a semblance of competitiveness, yet results quickly deteriorated last season and continued into the current campaign. Critics argue that tactical rigidity and an inability to adapt cost United key points. The defensive lapses and a blunt attack under his management highlighted the need for greater creativity and consistency—an area Ten Hag struggled to address despite a substantial transfer budget.
The INEOS sporting leadership, which took over in 2024, is now tasked with finding a replacement who can arrest the slide and restore United’s competitive edge. In the meantime, assistant manager Michael Carrick is expected to take over on an interim basis as United search for a permanent solution.
