Erik ten Hag, then Manager of Manchester United, interacts with Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on September 01, 2024 in Manchester, England.Erik ten Hag, then Manager of Manchester United, interacts with Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on September 01, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Erik ten Hag, then Manager of Manchester United, interacts with Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on September 01, 2024 in Manchester, England. | Getty Images
Erik ten Hag has yet to return to management after being sacked by Manchester United
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could return to the dugout after reports in the Netherlands claimed he was being lined up as a target by one of his former Ajax rivals.
The Dutchman left Ajax to join United back in May 2022 after being pursued by the Red Devils. The 55-year-old won three Eredivisie titles with the Amsterdam club as well as two KNVB Cups. He had an impressive 73.49 per cent win rate with the club, as he claimed 158 victories in 215 games in charge between January 2018 and May 2022. He almost led the club to the 2019 Champions League final.
They beat Real Madrid 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on their way to the lost four but were dramatically beaten by Tottenham Hotspur, as the London club advanced on away goals after a 3-3 draw on aggregate. Ten Hag picked up two trophies in his first two seasons at United but the club’s Premier League form was becoming a major concern and he was sacked at the end of October following a 2-1 loss at West Ham.
Ten Hag eyed for management return
Ajax’s Eredivisie rivals Feyenoord have reportedly lined Ten Hag up as a potential target as they look to fill their managerial vacancy. That is according to reports from AD in the Netherlands, although it is currently unclear if the ex-Red Devils boss would even entertain the approach.
Feyenoord are 12 points behind Ajax in the league table and on Monday they sacked Brian Priske, who succeeded Arne Slot after the Dutchman agreed to join Liverpool. Ten Hag had been linked with the Borussia Dortmund role after the Bundesliga side sacked head coach Nuri Sahin after their Champions League defeat at Bologna in January. However, Niko Kovač was appointed on an 18-month deal instead.
Announcing their decision to part ways with Priske, Feyenoord said in a statement: “Feyenoord and head coach Brian Priske have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect. The club cites the inconsistent results and a lack of chemistry as the main reasons. Alongside head coach Brian Priske, assistant coaches Lukas Babalola Andersson and Björn Hamberg will also be leaving Feyenoord immediately.”
“It is very disappointing for all parties that we had to come to this decision,’ said Feyenoord general and technical director Dennis te Kloese. “Although Feyenoord achieved some impressive results with Brian, especially in the UEFA Champions League, the first team’s performance has been far too inconsistent in recent months, and unfortunately, we see too little structural progress. As a professional and as a person, I still hold Brian in high esteem. However, sometimes you have to conclude that, despite everyone’s good intentions, things are just not working out, and you have reached a point where there is not enough support to continue forward together.”
Why was Ten Hag sacked by United?
United had 11 points from their opening nine games when Ten Hag was dismissed, which was their second-lowest tally of the Premier League era. They were also 21st of 36 teams in the Europa League table, having drawn their three opening fixtures in that competition.
A club statement at the time read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.”
In other news, United have included young goalkeepers Elyh Harrison and William Murdock in first-team training ahead of their trip to face Tottenham in the Premier League this weekend.