Erik ten Hag will be staying at Manchester United.
The powers that be at Old Trafford, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, took their time, but they believe they have the right man at the club.
Not only is Erik ten Hag staying at Manchester United, but sources have also told HITC that there are also discussions about a new contract.
Manchester United themselves haven’t confirmed Erik ten Hag’s stay, but on Tuesday evening, news spread like wildfire about the 54-year-old keeping his job.
Even though ten Hag guided the team to FA Cup final glory, there was still a lot of talk about who the club might bring in to replace him and there were discussions.
HITC revealed that the likes of Mauricio Pochettino were talked about, including England boss Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024.
Shaka Hislop was discussing the suggestion that Manchester United are waiting for a man like Southgate to become available, hence why they haven’t let ten Hag go now, as he told ESPN.
From the perspective of INEOS and Co, the former Premier League goalkeeper thinks it’s ‘worth waiting’ three more months to bring him in, if that’s what they want.
Regardless of what happens at the European Championships, Southgate won’t officially become available until, at least, pre-season has begun.
And Hislop thinks it won’t be Manchester United ‘writing a season off’ if ten Hag still leaves and Southgate joins in November.
Gareth Southgate and Erik ten Hag
“There are a couple of ways you can look at this from a Manchester United perspective,” said Hislop. “Maybe look at the struggles others have had in filling their managerial vacancies. You wonder and worry about getting caught up in that quagmire.
“Your preferred option isn’t available until, at least pre-season, and probably November if you are more realistic. I disagree, I have no issue with, if your preferred option is available in November, it’s not writing a season off, it’s writing the first three months off. If that’s who you are determined to get.
On who would want to wait for a manager like Gareth Southgate: “Those decisions aren’t mine. I am with you,” added Hislop. “I am not sure that Gareth Southgate is the right fix. But if this is who Manchester United and INEOS, or whoever is making those decisions, decide that this is our man, then it’s worth waiting the extra three months or whatever it is. The part I simply can’t get past is offering Erik ten Hag a new contract. Why? Let’s be honest, he isn’t going anywhere. Nobody is coming after ten Hag, so why do you feel the need for him to sign a new contract? At the very least, before, let’s pencil in November, as Gareth Southgate’s availability.”
Manchester United have made the right call keeping Erik ten Hag
The biggest problem at Manchester United is the culture. This isn’t and doesn’t get fixed overnight.
Arsenal are a prime example. Two years into Mikel Arteta’s tenure, they were finishing outside of Europe and he was getting booted out of the Europa League semi-final to Unai Emery’s Villarreal.
READ MORE: Manchester United told senior player won’t be leaving now Erik ten Hag will stay
And that following season, they lost out on fourth spot to Tottenham Hotspur.
Yet, the powers that be at the Emirates stuck by their manager, kept the faith and they missed out on the Premier League title on the last day of the recently concluded season.
Patience and bravery are required here. And Manchester United have done that here.
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