Real reason Erik ten Hag is still Manchester United’s manager

Erik ten Hag maintaining his position as Manchester United’s head coach after last season’s disastrous finish was one that many would consider puzzling after rumors circulated of his dismissal from the role no matter the result of the FA Cup final.

However, following the FA Cup triumph at Wembley on the final day of the 2023/24 season, the narratives suddenly changed, with the Dutchman maintaining his hold on the managerial seat and his fans and critics alike, left dumbfounded.

According to latest reports, it has been revealed that Manchester United came dangerously close to replacing Erik ten Hag just as the reports at the tail end of last season had suggested, with former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, the front runner for the job.

Read More:

Erik ten Hag hangs on a thread as INEOS watch

Thomas Tuchel holds secret meeting with Manchester United

But the latest report, asserts that the German manager was turned off by Manchester United’s transfer policy during his negotiation with the club.

It should be recalled that United’s disastrous eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season was their worst top-flight campaign in over three decades, and it had prompted new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS-led team to begin exploring alternatives to Ten Hag, despite an FA Cup victory keeping the Dutchman temporarily safe.

Thomas Tuchel, a proven winner, was a frontrunner, and negotiations reportedly reached an advanced stage. According to German pundit Marcel Reif, United were “almost in agreement” with Tuchel, but the move fell apart when the club refused to give him the control over transfers that he desired.

Tuchel, who had dealt with similar issues at Chelsea, was unwilling to repeat that experience, telling United he wouldn’t join without full say in squad decisions. This hesitation from United’s new leadership team, which wanted to limit Ten Hag’s influence over transfers moving forward, became the final stumbling block.

Ironically, Erik ten Hag retained a significant role in United’s transfer dealings this summer, bringing in familiar faces like Mathijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, both of whom played under him at Ajax.

The saga highlights United’s internal power struggles over control of the squad, raising questions about whether their evolving transfer policy will lead to future managerial headaches—or missed opportunities.