Erik ten Hag prior to the TOTO KNVB Cup Final match between PSV and Ajax at Stadion Feijenoord on April 17, 2022 in Rotterdam, Netherlands (Photo by Geert van Erven/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Manchester United confirm Erik ten Hag appointment
Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick (right) gestures from the touchline during this week’s Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on April 19, 2022. (Photo by Chris Brunskill / Fantasista / Getty Images)
The search for a new manager is over for Manchester United
Manchester United will have a new man in charge come next season as the Red Devils have decided on Ajax’s Erik ten Hag as their next manager.
The club released an official statement confirming the appointment.
https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1517083257539637248
Ten Hag’s deal will run until June of 2025 with the option to extend one more year.
“During the past four years at Ajax, Erik has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe, renowned for his team’s attractive, attacking football and commitment to youth,” John Murtough, the director of football, said in a statement.
In what was probably the worst kept secret, the Dutch manager is set to take over from Ralf Rangnick who has not been able to right the Man United ship.
The soon-to-be former Ajax manager is going to have his work cut out for him as the United squad is in desperate need of an overhaul. It is going to be a challenge and one that is likely to take more than one season. For what it’s worth, he’s up for it.
“It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead,” Ten Hag said. “I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.
“It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United.”
Another challenge will be how he does outside the Ajax system. Other managers and players have left the Eredivisie side for new adventures and had mixed results. Frank de Boer is a prime example. On the player side, there is Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Hakim Ziyech and Donny van de Beek to name a few. All have had varying degrees of success at their new clubs.
Manchester United are going to have to be patient and provide full support for Ten Hag. With a number of players likely on the way out, new ones are going to have to be brought in and it will take time to get them acclimated to a new club and a new manager.
Expectations will also have to be in line with what Manchester United are at the moment. Their loss to Liverpool was yet another example of how far the club are from competing for the league title. Hiring Ten Hag is a step in the right direction. The objective now is to surround him with the proper support system in order to give him the best possibility to succeed.
