Liverpool fans agree with Man Utd’s decision to keep Erik ten Hag as manager

Erik ten Hag is set to stay on as Manchester United manager, delighting Red Devils fans who begged him to stay after winning the FA Cup final against arch-rivals Manchester City.

In a rare instance, Liverpool fans agree, albeit for a different reason. Both sets of supporters are happy with the news as United fans believe the Ten Hag deserves more time, but Liverpool fans are convinced the club will not improve while he remains in charge.

It was reported before the FA Cup final that Ten Hag would be sacked regardless of the result as new minority owners INEOS, who oversee football operations at the club, wanted a new head coach to lead the team into a new era. Last season, United recorded their worst ever finish in the Premier League and were also knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage.

The 2-1 win against City in the FA Cup final may have helped Ten Hag’s case, as did the thousands of United fans who begged the head coach to keep his position. A review at the end of the season led to a change in plans, but contract talks are on hold.

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“Quite happy he’s staying honest as United are going nowhere with him as manager,” one Liverpool fan wrote on social media. “Manchester United will extend a manager who spent hundreds of millions and finished last season with a negative goal difference. What an incredible fall from grace,” added another brutally.

“Best news I’ve heard in a long time,” one fan wrote. “This is great news for the other 19 teams in the league,” posted another. Despite the jeers from Liverpool fans and other rival teams, United fans are happy and believe that Ten Hag is the right person for the job.

“Couldn’t be happier. Common sense and means we don’t have another restart! Bring it back in the summer now and get behind the man,” wrote one United fan. “This has already made my summer,” added another.

Ten Hag is under contract until 2025, meaning he will be on trial in the early months of next season. If United’s head coach struggles to inspire progress, United will part ways with the 54-year-old, but if he aligns with the new owners’ vision, an extension will be negotiated.

The Dutch manager spent just two full seasons at United and although the team failed to challenge in Europe or for the Premier League title, they won a trophy in back-to-back seasons. In 2022-23, United beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the League Cup final before lifting the FA Cup last month with an impressive performance against City.

It’s been over a decade since legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson left United and the team has been in decline ever since. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and Ten Hag were all given a chance, but none managed to return the club to its former glory in the long term.

Liverpool fans are in a similar situation of putting their faith in a Dutch manager after Arne Slot was hired to replace the departing Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool enjoyed a golden era under Klopp, but after nine years he decided to call time on his Premier League journey.