Manchester United have sacked manager Erik ten Hag in the wake of their dismal start to the season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach while a permanent head coach is recruited.
The decision to sack Ten Hag – who was only given a contract extension in July after surviving a summer review and spent over £600m in transfer fees during his tenure – has been described as ‘difficult and finely balanced’ by Manchester United’s hierarchy.
Ten Hag is understood to have been ‘taken aback’ by the timing of his ousting. However, it is understood that the decision by the club’s board, made less than 24 hours after their controversial 2-1 defeat at West Ham on Sunday, was unanimous.
Crucially, it was felt that the club’s on-field results have not been good enough.
In contrast to the comments from Ten Hag, the hierarchy did not see the team on the right path and felt there were no excuses for the position United are in. They have won just four of their 14 games this season.
“No-one watches United and doesn’t think the players are better than what they are showing,” said Gary Neville. “The lack of identity and style is something that has been a mystery for the last two-and-a-half seasons.”
Sky Sports News understands a shortlist of around five managers has been identified, with Van Nistelrooy seen as a short-term solution until a permanent manager is found.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future,” United said in a short statement.
Ten Hag leaves United 14th in the Premier League as his two-and-a-half-year spell comes to an end.
The 54-year-old former Ajax boss had initially been backed by new co-owners INEOS in the summer, sanctioning around £200m in the most recent transfer window, with spending surpassing £616m since his appointment in April 2022.
The support came despite the group initially speaking to a number of other candidates to replace him on the back of an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League, their worst top-flight position since 1990.
He did however, guide Man Utd to a surprise FA Cup final win over rivals Man City before the season’s conclusion.
Sky Sports
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