Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is to remain in the job next season and has entered into talks with the Old Trafford club over a contract extension, despite the team’s lowest ever English Premier League finish of eighth, British media reported.
The decision comes after an end-of-season review by the club’s board for the 2023-2024 campaign, which finished on a high with a shock FA Cup final win over favorites Manchester City.
Ten Hag’s contract runs until the end of next season, with the club having the option of extending it a further 12 months.
Photo: AFP
Former Ajax Amsterdam coach Ten Hag had come under increasing pressure after 20-times English champions United had their worst start to a season since the 1962-1963 season, with eight defeats in their first 15 matches in all competitions.
They ended up eighth after 14 defeats in their 38 league games and bowed out of the UEFA Champions League in the group phase.
Ten Hag’s job security had been the subject of speculation all season and many pundits believed the FA Cup final would be the his last game with the team, win or lose.
Yet moments after their thrilling triumph, the 54-year-old said he had no doubt he would be back, and that he had received the backing of the club’s owners all season.
“I’m in a project and we are exactly where we want to be. We’re constructing a team. When I took over it was a mess at United, and we are on our way to construct a team for the future,” he told reporters at Wembley.
“The team is developing, the team is winning and the team also plays to an identity. What you need to play is to be available, you need a strong squad in top football, and especially when you play in England, the Premier League is so competitive.”
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