Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand’s cautious stances over Man United’s managerial appointments appear to have been proved accurate (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Erik ten Hag will soon be the most recent Manchester United manager fired, implying that two club legends were correct to exercise caution when hiring him.
Given that Erik ten Hag looks set to be fired soon, it appears that two former Manchester United players were correct to question his appointment in the first place.
Regardless of the result of the FA Cup final matchup between Manchester City and the Red Devils on Saturday, it is reportedly inevitable that the team will part ways with their manager. Even if Ten Hag’s team manages to upset Pep Guardiola’s team at Wembley, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to make a change at the head coach position. Ten Hag, 54, recently guided United to their lowest-ever Premier League finish of eighth place.
When Ten Hag was named Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s replacement in the summer of 2022, both Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville expressed concern. Midway through the 2021–2022 season, Ralf Rangnick was appointed as an interim manager. Ten Hag, a former Ajax executive, was ultimately chosen as the most suitable candidate to lead the team to success.
Even though Ten Hag’s team won the League Cup in his first season at Old Trafford, it’s possible to argue the team hasn’t improved under his leadership, let alone improved. Additionally, supporters have been made aware of remarks made by Ferdinand shortly before the Dutchman’s appointment was officially announced two years ago.
Both Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino are listed there. Let’s be clear: if Ten Hag is involved, we must help him. However, it’s a big decision, man,” the former England defender stated in 2022 on his podcast Vibe with FIVE. This is the one that, as of right now, alters everything at the club. To encourage the team to take on new challenges, this person must be the one to lead the way to success and long-term success.
“Man, that’s a big decision. Since we’ve been in a terrible situation for far too long, this appointment is huge. It has to do with the club’s culture. Someone who can establish the proper culture is needed.”
Erik ten Hag is seemingly destined for the Old Trafford chopping block ( Image: PA)
Even more adamant in his position, Neville, 49, tweeted that if given the choice between those two candidates, he “would go for Pochettino.” Two years later, Pochettino—who was fired by Chelsea despite leading Chelsea to a sixth-place league result—is once again vying for the United job.
The Argentine is reportedly one of five candidates on a shortlist to become United’s manager. That list also includes Kieran McKenna of Ipswich, Thomas Frank of Brentford, and free agent Graham Potter. Thomas Tuchel recently left Bayern Munich.
With a massive upset in Saturday’s Manchester derby standing between them and a spot in Europe next season, a trip back to the drawing board seems inevitable for United. If not, Ten Hag’s tenure will be seen by others as one big step forward and several significant steps back for the club’s icons.
