Erik ten Hag: Manchester United boss extends contract until 2026

Erik ten Hag's future had been in doubt but Man Utd decided to keep him and have now extended his stay at Old Trafford until 2026; Ten Hag led United to an eighth-placed finish in the 2023/24 season, their worst in the Premier League era, but beat rivals Manchester City to lift the FA Cup

Friday 5 July 2024 06:24, UK

Erik ten Hag has extended his Manchester United contract until 2026.

Ten Hag's future as United boss had been in doubt at the end of the season but the club decided to keep the Dutchman and he has been given an extra two years to continue at Old Trafford.

The deal continues on existing terms, and there is increased support around Ten Hag from strengthened football leadership team.

Discussions also continue on the potential refresh of his coaching staff.

Ten Hag 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."

Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Thomas Frank, Kieran McKenna and Gareth Southgate were all linked with taking over at United before the club opted to keep Ten Hag, who recently revealed on Dutch TV that he discovered the news while away with his family on holiday.

Ten Hag's original contract ended at the end of the 2024/25 season, with United having the option of extending it by a further 12 months.

Manchester United Sporting Director Dan Ashworth said: "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.

"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."

The 54-year-old led United to a disappointing eighth-placed finish in the 2023/24 campaign, their worst in the Premier League era, but beat rivals Manchester City to lift the FA Cup - Ten Hag's second trophy in as many years.

The Dutchman had to contend with an injury-ravaged squad throughout the season but managed to salvage Europa League qualification with the victory over City at Wembley.

A post-season review concluded that Ten Hag deserves a chance to show what more he is capable of within the new sporting structure implemented following Ratcliffe's INEOS taking charge of football operations.

Why did Man Utd decide to stick with Ten Hag?

Manchester United's review recognised the significant achievement of winning two trophies in two seasons - particularly the quality of the FA Cup win against City.

Ten Hag's dedication is said to be admired by decision-makers at United, as well as the dignity and professionalism with which he has conducted himself.

The emergence of academy products Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo under Ten Hag and his work developing them were among the other factors considered by United.

The review also took into account mitigating factors - not least the injuries Ten Hag's players have suffered and the number of problems concentrated in key positions.

United also believe new signings, notably Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana, need time to bed in, while Mason Mount spent most of last season sidelined through injury.

Can Ten Hag build on FA Cup win?

Erik ten Hag had looked doomed at Manchester United but that FA Cup win over Manchester City at Wembley has changed the mood.

Will he be able to build on this belated backing?

In The Debrief, Adam Bate takes a look...

Neville: Why it's right Ten Hag is staying at Man Utd

Speaking after the news that Ten Hag was staying at Man Utd, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville gave his thoughts on the decision to keep the Dutchman as manager.

"It's one of those that's not perfect, waiting two and a half weeks after the end of the season, and quite obviously flirting with other managers in the mean time. But I believe because he had such a disappointing season in the league, the club were well within their rights to be able to see what was out there in the market.

"But as we all know, the manager market has been quite difficult for a number of top clubs in Europe, and I'm happy they're maintained that stability into next season. I think they've come to the right conclusion, but they were within their rights to look at other options.

"The fact Ten Hag knows they looked at other options is not ideal, but he's got to accept when you finished where they did, there is a chance you could lose your job - so he should be happy, the club should be happy.

"The big thing for me is looking at Man Utd changing owners, sporting director, CEO, technical director and CFO, the five or six major positions, to have some stability in the football side is a sensible thing. It allows those people not in the club yet to build the foundations underneath the football side.

"Having to settle in a new manager in at the same time would've been more difficult. Any new manager would've said they wanted to look at the playing staff, they'd want new players, a transfer budget which Man Utd don't quite have at the moment because of PSR.

"It's a sensible thing for the club, and the right thing for Erik ten Hag."

What is Man Utd's summer schedule?

July 15: Man Utd vs Rosenborg - Lerkendal Stadion, Trondheim, kick-off 5pm UK time
July 20: Man Utd vs Rangers - Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh - kick-off 4pm
July 27: Man Utd vs Arsenal - SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, kick-off 1am July 28 UK time
July 31: Man Utd vs Real Betis - Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, kick-off 5am August 1 UK time
August 3: Man Utd vs Liverpool - Brice Stadium, South Carolina, kick-off 12.30am August 4 UK time

Man Utd fixtures: Liverpool to visit Old Trafford in first month

Manchester United will start their 2024/25 Premier League season with a home fixture against Fulham, live on Sky Sports, and face Liverpool in the opening month of the season.

The opening game of the new campaign will be played on Friday August 16, with kick-off at 8pm.

United then travel to Brighton before their first big derby of the season at home to Liverpool with the game currently scheduled for Saturday August 31.

The reverse fixture will be played at the start of 2025 with a trip to Anfield on January 4.

Fans will have to wait until December for the first Manchester derby of the season, away at Manchester City on December 14. The reverse fixture at Old Trafford will be played on April 5.

Boxing Day will see Man Utd travel to Wolves, and they will finish the 2024/25 campaign at home to Aston Villa on May 25.

Mitten: Clarity is key for United progress

United We Stand editor Andy Mitten told Sky Sports:

"The clarity on Erik ten Hag's future is good news and it's what most fans wanted in various polls, where between 75 per cent and 80 per cent wanted him to stay. That was conducted after the FA Cup final it should be said.

"It's taken a few weeks but it's an important time for decisions to be made. The fans are still on a buzz after the FA Cup final win but United simply must improve next year.

"There's no chance he will keep his job if they finish eighth next season but there's a lot of mitigation given the injuries and Ineos took that into consideration.

"Talk of a new contract is there to allay fears Ten Hag will then lose his job at the first opportunity [of a dip in form] next season. He will know better tha anybody that he needs to make a good start to next season.

"United will play in the Europa League next season which is probably their level at the moment but there needs to be a significant improvement.

"If not, there will be a similar situation as we saw with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer losing his job in November and Jose Mourinho did so in December. Other managers may become available in time but for now he retains faith of the owners and most of the fans."

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.

The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

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