Manchester United have decided to sack Erik ten Hag after Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City, regardless of the result. The decision echoes 2016, when Louis van Gaal was dismissed despite winning the same competition. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, who took control of football operations in December, have lost faith in Ten Hag after United finished eighth in the Premier League, their lowest position since 1990.
The club's hierarchy have concluded that a single match cannot reverse a season of underperformance. Although victory at Wembley would secure Europa League qualification, Ten Hag's fate is sealed. Attention now turns to his successor, with Thomas Tuchel considered the frontrunner. Exploratory talks have also been held with Mauricio Pochettino and representatives of Ipswich's Kieran McKenna, while Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate and Thomas Frank are under consideration.
Ten Hag's tenure has been marred by poor results and inconsistent performances. Key signings such as Antony (£86m) and André Onana have underwhelmed, while injuries to Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and others disrupted his plans. United were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage, suffered heavy defeats at home to Bournemouth and away to Crystal Palace, and lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth.
The FA Cup run provided some respite, including a thrilling 4-3 win over Liverpool, but a subsequent 3-0 lead was squandered against Championship side Coventry before United won on penalties. Ten Hag repeatedly defended his record, citing last season's Carabao Cup win and third-place finish, and pointed to the club's trophy drought since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.
Ten Hag said on Thursday he had already held talks with the hierarchy and planned to go on holiday after the final. “On Sunday I will go on holiday. I think I deserve it,” he said. United will conduct a final review before making an official announcement.
