Erik Ten Hag’s other six stops at Manchester United include Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United
Manchester United started the 2024/25 season with renewed optimism following the signing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but there were still problems with the signing of Erik ten Hag.
An FA Cup win was not enough to make up for a disastrous season, but INEOS felt a morale-boosting win at Wembley would be enough to keep the Dutchman. It may have been a decision that followed the failure to secure some important contracts.
Ratcliffe et al. Ten Haag did not receive a flashy offer of a one-year contract extension as a token gesture and it is clear that the Dutchman has hit the ground running on the ice this season.
Ten Haag’s ability to occasionally excel as a team has served them well in cup competitions and Big Six clashes, but for the most part Man United’s penetration has been too easy and left a lot to be desired in the Premier League.
The Red Devils hit a new low this season with just three wins from their first nine Premier League games as the Ten Hag’s long drought ended following a disappointing 2-1 defeat at West Ham last month.
Before Ratcliffe’s arrival, Old Trafford was – as Gary Neville always pointed out at every opportunity – a graveyard for Sir Alex Ferguson players.
This also applies to administrators. Ten Haag’s predecessors never recovered after leaving Manchester United. Because they have never played at a top club. Ten Hag clearly wants to reverse that trend and could find a decent job if he returns to coaching, even if it means taking a step back. Because he can hang his hat on United’s cup success. But where could it go? There are six possible future moves for the Dutchman.
Ajax
The Ten Hag has returned to familiar surroundings after leaving Manchester United and recently appeared in the stands when Ajax took on Eredivisie rivals Twente. Compared to Manchester United’s good relationship and the recent problems Ajax have endured over the past two-and-a-half years, Jordan Henderson has had a terrible time.
Ajax, who won the Eredivisie title a few seasons before Ten Hag’s departure, finished third and fifth in the following two seasons and had six (yes, six) managers.
New coach Francesco Farioli has performed better than his predecessors and a win would leave Ajax third, just four points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.
However, Ten Hag was heavily linked with his old club earlier this year and could bring him back if things improve under Pete Tong. ajax
Ten Hag has settled comfortably back home after leaving Manchester United and recently appeared in the stands as Ajax took on Eredivisie rivals Twente. The 54-year-old has left the Dutch giants in relatively good form, with United’s recent struggles pale in comparison to what Ajax have endured over the past two and a half years, while Jordan Henderson has had a terrible spell. Ajax won back-to-back Eredivisie titles before Ten Haag left and have finished third and fifth in the two seasons since. He had six (yes, six) managers.
New coach Francesco Farioli has performed better than his predecessors and third-placed Ajax are now four points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven if they win a game. However, Ten Haag was heavily linked with his former club earlier this year and, if all goes well, Pete Tong could bring him back in no time.
Like England, the Netherlands qualified for Euro 2024 but lost in the semi-finals due to an Ollie Watkins goal. Their Nations League campaign was far more successful, with Koeman’s side picking up just one win in four matches.
England’s 2-1 win over Greece had a positive impact on the Nations League, but matches in the competition are still rated as friendlies and a poor season on the tournament is unlikely to be enough to justify sacking the manager. But Koeman, who left his country to join Barcelona in 2020 before returning two years later, has come under scrutiny from his critics this summer and the Ten Hag will surely improve.
AC Rome
Another struggling European club, Serie A giants Roma are said to be interested in Ten Hag and former Chelsea boss Graham Potter after Ivan Juric’s short but disappointing spell as manager.
An unremarkable Jose Mourinho manager has led to Roma’s decline, with the 12th-placed side now closer to relegation than any European team. In a bid to win back fans, Roma owners Everton-linked Friedkin Group have brought 73-year-old Claudio Ranieri out of retirement and signed him on a contract until the summer.
The much-loved manager’s third spell at Roma is likely to be short-lived as the struggling club could return to action in the summer, even if the veteran can stop the freefall. This may increase interest in Ten Hag.
Leave a Reply