Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag; Ruud van Nistelrooy Hired Interim Coach

Manchester United have fired Erik ten Hag following a shaky start to the season, and former Red Devils midfielder Ruud van Nistelrooy replaces him as interim manager

Man United has sacked Erik Ten Hag, who had been the head coach of the club since 2012. It had been a difficult start, United currently sits 14th in the Premier League and the club cut an offer to Ten Hag after losing 2-1 at West Ham on Sunday. The squad will now call upon club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy to act as interim coach.

The news comes just months after Ten Hag signed a new deal with United that will keep him at the club until 2026. Ten Hag joined United in 2022 and enjoyed early success, bringing the Carabao Cup to Old Trafford in his first season, and winning the FA Cup this summer . But his performance this season, four of his first 13 matches,cast United’s future into doubt.

Ruud van Nistelrooy Interim Coach

The interim head coach is Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has come to the backroom as an assistant coach this summer. Van Nistelrooy, a fan favourite who played for United between 2002 and 2006, rejoins the club with managerial experience having spent the past two seasons at PSV Eindhoven, where he won the Dutch Cup in 2023 before quitting.

Van Nistelrooy’s coaching squad will also feature Rene Hake, the former Go Ahead Eagles manager who will remain on as part of Van Nistelrooy’s coaching staff while the club searches for a permanent manager. Van Nistelrooy will miss United’s Carabao Cup game against Leicester City on Wednesday at Old Trafford.

United's Struggles and New Ownership Pressure

Ten Hag’s exit was said to have been motivated by the new United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe who took over at United earlier this year . Together with the sporting director Dan Ashworth and the INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, Ratcliffe had initially championed Ten Hag’s vision, even signing him on a one-year contract after he guided United to an unexpected 2-1 FA Cup final win against Manchester City last season. But having picked up just 11 points in their last nine league matches, anxiety about missing out on Champions League qualification has increased and the club took a new direction.

The team’s poor form last season, eighth in the Premier League, was another red flag, prompting a long-term review of the club’s trajectory. In the summer, discussions took place with a number of potential replacements, including Thomas Tuchel, who has since replaced him at England. Former England manager Gareth Southgate is in the hunt, according to reports, but he has not yet mentioned that he will return to club coaching before next summer at the very least.

United Eyes New Leadership for a Fresh Start

Van Nistelrooy will keep Manchester United on track at least until Van Nistelrooy and Ratcliffe and his men can figure out a permanent successor. The crowd are hoping the former United forward can emulate the competitive player he was and put the Red Devils back on track.
Keep an eye on things, with Manchester United already trying to make sense of the options for a new manager and laying the foundations for what fans will hope is a resurrection at Old Trafford.