Premier League: Erik ten Hag will continue as Manchester United manager for next season

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will stay in the job for next season and has entered talks with the Old Trafford club over a contract extension despite their lowest ever Premier League finish of eighth. the British press reported.

The decision follows an end-of-season review by the club’s board for the 2023-24 campaign, which ended with a shock FA Cup final victory over favorites Manchester City. Ten Hag’s contract runs until the end of next season, with the club having the option to extend it by a further 12 months. Former Ajax Amsterdam manager Ten Hag came under increasing pressure after 20-time English champions United suffered their worst start to a season since 1962-63, with eight defeats in first 15 matches in all competitions.

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They finished eighth after 14 defeats in their 38 league games and crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage. Ten Hag’s job security has been the subject of speculation all season and many pundits believed the FA Cup final would be the Dutchman’s last game with the team, win or lose.

But moments after their thrilling triumph, the 54-year-old insisted he had no doubt he would return and said he had the support of the club’s owners all season.

“I’m on a project and we’re exactly where we want to be. We’re building a team. When I took over it was a mess at United and we’re about to build a team for the future,” he told reporters at Wembley.

“The team develops, the team wins and the team also plays to an identity. What you need to play is to be available, you need a strong team in top football and especially when you play in England, the Premier League is so competitive. “

YOU WILL BE INJURED

Ten Hag highlighted United’s revolving door of injuries in the last quarter, the most of any team in the Premier League and concentrated in key positions such as central defence. He also spoke about the debut seasons of young players such as midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who is part of England’s Euro 2024 squad in Germany, and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho.

In Ten Hag’s two seasons in charge, United played in three Wembley finals and lifted two trophies, also winning last season’s League Cup. Media reports said all eventualities had been considered in the club’s post-season review and the clear preference was for the Ten Hag to remain in charge at Old Trafford.

Coaches linked with the job as potential replacements have included Thomas Tuchel and England manager Gareth Southgate. Ten Hag is United’s fifth permanent manager since Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013 as the club searched for someone to lead them back to the heights of their glory years. He led United to third place in the league in his debut season.