The changing of a club’s manager mid-season frequently signifies profound issues, as exemplified by Ineos and Manchester United. The 2023/24 season was catastrophic for United, culminating in an eighth-place finish in the Premier League. Erik ten Hag secured a 2-1 victory against Manchester City in the FA Cup final, a result that probably postponed his exit from the club.
Following the conclusion of the season, Ineos assumed responsibility for restructuring the club’s sporting activities. This initiative rapidly disintegrated following Dan Ashworth’s departure, prompting widespread skepticism on the alignment of the restructure with appropriate priorities. Ultimately, Ten Hag was terminated at the conclusion of October, signifying the cessation of a tumultuous period.
Notwithstanding substantial expenditures throughout the summer transfer window, it became more evident that Ten Hag was faltering, leading many to believe that his departure should have transpired somewhat sooner. The club delayed terminating his contract until October 28, and it required an extra three weeks for Ruben Amorim to be formally appointed as his successor.
Prior to the Manchester Derby, Amorim discussed the difficulties he encountered during his initial tenure at the club. In an interview with Sky Sports, he disclosed that throughout a span of over 20 days, he conducted merely three comprehensive training sessions with the complete group, hindering the execution of his tactical vision. These issues highlight his previous appeals for patience, since the commencement of his tenure was far from seamless.
Upon reflection, it is apparent that a prompt replacement of Ten Hag would have been the more judicious decision. The humiliating 3-0 defeat to Tottenham in late September, regarded as one of United’s most abysmal displays in decades, was a definitive indication of distress. A prior managerial change could have afforded Amorim the necessary time to assimilate his concepts and adequately prepare the team for the challenging matches in December.
