Erik ten Hag’s future as Manchester United manager has been updated by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Despite winning the FA Cup, the Dutchman is being fired at Old Trafford following a disastrous Premier League season in which United finished eighth, their lowest ever finish, and conceded a record amount of goals.
In addition, they finished last in a Champions League group that was comparatively simple, and the team’s play was unorganized and depressing all season long.
“There have been really important meetings at Manchester United this week as they hold their internal review over the season and over the future of… Ten Hag,” Romano confirmed in today’s Daily Briefing.
He did point out that there were other things on the agenda, such as how to improve United’s appalling injury record and a review of the transfer budget.
Romano feels that “the Dutch coach and his agents are still waiting for formal communication from Manchester United to understand the club’s position” with regard to Ten Hag in particular.
The guru stated, “We could hear this in the coming days as we’re approaching the final decision moment.”
We’re approaching the really important phases of this. The players are waiting, Ten Hag is waiting, and the board is involved.
Regarding the manager’s position, there are three different schools of thought.
One, supported by Gianluca di Marzio, another transfer guru, states that Ten Hag was informed of the decision to fire him months prior to United’s match against Arsenal.
The other is that the decision would be made during this post-season review, which is also The Athletic’s David Ornstein’s opinion.
Ten Hag took the third spot, claiming INEOS had been working with him on summer transfer targets and had not given him any indication that his job was in jeopardy.
It is difficult to comprehend why the announcement of the decision last week was delayed if the “already sacked” version is accurate, unless the Cup victory provided a last-minute reprieve.
In any case, Romano claims that if the 54-year-old is to be fired, the news will probably arrive soon, with Thomas Tuchel, a former manager of Bayern Munich and Chelsea, “extremely eager” to take over.
