INEOS’s Acquisition of Manchester United: Uncertainty Surrounds Erik ten Hag’s Future as Manager
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United, speculation has swirled regarding the club’s future direction, particularly concerning the potential appointment of Dan Ashworth as sporting director. Despite this, Ratcliffe has yet to publicly confirm whether current manager Erik ten Hag will remain at the helm for the upcoming season.
With Manchester United’s inconsistent performances leaving them trailing behind rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for Champions League qualification, internal dissatisfaction is growing louder. If Ten Hag fails to reverse the club’s fortunes on the pitch, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ratcliffe and his team opt to part ways with him at the end of the campaign.
Interestingly, reports indicate that INEOS already have a contingency plan in place, with Julian Nagelsmann emerging as a top candidate to replace Ten Hag. Nagelsmann, currently managing the German national team, is highly regarded by INEOS, who are reportedly eyeing him as a potential successor to Ten Hag.
However, Nagelsmann’s availability has sparked interest from other clubs, notably Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga side, dissatisfied with current manager Edin Terzić’s performance, are considering Nagelsmann as a potential replacement. Despite Nagelsmann’s reported openness to returning to club football, Dortmund has yet to make a formal approach.
Given Nagelsmann’s managerial prowess and the potential for multiple European clubs to pursue him, INEOS must make a definitive decision on Ten Hag’s future sooner rather than later if they intend to pursue Nagelsmann as his successor.