Erik ten Hag signs one-year extension at Man Utd after avoiding sack in dramatic U-turn after shock FA Cup final win
ERIK TEN HAG has been handed a one-year contract extension to keep him at Manchester United until 2026.
The Red Devils boss was in danger of being sacked towards the end of last season after his side finished eighth in the Premier League.
But they ended the campaign by triumphing in the FA Cup final against Manchester City and he has now seen his deal extended.
However, his existing contract was running until 2025, so an additional 12 months is not considered to be a huge sign of faith.
He said: “I am very pleased to have reached agreement with the club to continue working together. Looking back at the past two years, we can reflect with pride on two trophies and many examples of progression from where we were when I joined.
“However, we must also be clear that there is still lots of hard work ahead to reach the levels expected of Manchester United, which means challenging for English and European titles.
“In my discussions with the club, we have found complete unity in our vision for reaching those goals, and we are all strongly committed to making that journey together.”
New sporting director Dan Ashworth added: “With two trophies in the past two seasons, Erik has reinforced his record as one of the most consistently successful coaches in European football.
“While the club’s review of last season highlighted areas for improvement, it also reached a clear conclusion that Erik was the best partner for us to work with in driving up standards and outcomes.
“This group of players and staff have already shown they are capable of competing and winning at the top level; now we need to do it more consistently.
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Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag
ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.
Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.
Gareth Southgate
Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.
Kieran McKenna
Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.
Roberto De Zerbi
Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.
Thomas Frank
Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.
Marco Silva
Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.
Mauricio Pochettino
Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Thomas Tuchel
Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.
Ruben Amorim
Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.
“With our strengthened football leadership team now in place, we are looking forward to working hand-in-hand with Erik to achieve our shared ambitions for this football club.”
Man Utd chiefs, led by new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, considered a number of replacements for Ten Hag before it was confirmed they would be sticking with the Dutchman.
Ten Hag's five worst defeats
ERIK TEN HAG has suffered some heavy defeats during his tenure as Manchester United manager.
5. Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd, November 2023
The damaging defeat saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League.
4. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023
It was the first time the Cherries had ever won at Old Trafford with the players being booed off.
3. Brentford 4-0 Man Utd, August 2022
Perhaps a sign of things to come, in Ten Hag’s second Premier League game, his side was dismantled by the Bees.
2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd, May 2024
The heavy defeat to the Eagles saw the Dutchman edge ever closer to the sack.
1. Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd, March 2023
Man Utd were embarrassed at the hands of their bitter rivals as they crumbled at Anfield as it was the club’s worst defeat in 92 years.
It is understood they held talks with Thomas Tuchel following his departure from Bayern Munich, but the German rejected a move to Old Trafford.
England boss Gareth Southgate and ex-Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino were also touted for the role.
As were Kieran McKenna, Ruben Amorim, Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank, Marco Silva and Roberto Martinez.
But ultimately Man Utd have opted to remain with Ten Hag – who has won 66 of his 114 games in charge since arriving two years ago.
The former Ajax boss produced a defiant response about his future after his FA Cup triumph in May – which he added to United’s Carabao Cup win in February 2023.
He said: “Two trophies in two seasons and three finals. That’s not bad.
“If they don’t want me any more I go somewhere else to win trophies. That is what I do.”
Man Utd’s Wembley win earns them a place in next season’s Europa League.
Ten Hag’s men were dumped out in the Champions League group stage during a dismal 2023/24 campaign.
It was a significant step back from his first season at Old Trafford in which they finished third in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Man Utd’s squad is set for a major re-shuffle this summer.
Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial and Brandon Williams have already been released, while Sofyan Amrabat returned to Fiorentina following his loan spell.
SunSport have also revealed Marcus Rashford could be sold for £80million.
Transfer targets include the likes of Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, and Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt.
Man Utd get the 2024/25 Premier League campaign underway when they host Fulham on August 16.
They then go to Brighton, before hosting Liverpool in their final match prior to the first international break.
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