Erik ten Hag appointed as Manchester United manager
Manchester United has faced a managerial crisis for the last year. Ole Gunnar Solskjær was at the helm at the beginning of the season but was relieved of his duties after a string of disappointing results, which then saw Ralf Rangnick take his place as an interim manager. Rangnick did not propel the team forward as United finished 6th in the Premier League and was swiftly knocked out in the FA Cup and the Champions League. After a long search during the season, United’s board has decided to hire Erik ten Hag as manager.
Ten Hag previously managed the Eredivisie team, Ajax from 2017-2022. He saw great success with Ajax which included three Eredivisie titles, two Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) cups, and an appearance in the Champion League semi-finals. His dominance with Ajax is highlighted by a 73.95 win percentage over his 215 game span. Ten Hag has been held in high regard and has been sought out by many clubs for his services.
Ten Hag faces a major challenge ahead of him as United showed little life throughout the 2021-2022 campaign which ended with a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace. It was United’s worst points tally (58 points) since the Premier League began in 1992. They also allowed the most goals in their history in the Premier League (57) which was even more than relegated Burnley (53). The season was such a struggle, that after the last game goalkeeper, David De Gea told reporters that “the best thing that happened today is the season has finished.”
United and Ten Hag will be heavily analyzed through the summer and during the season. The goal for United is always to be the best and at the top of the Premier League, however, Ten Hag’s first target will be to get United back in the Champions League as he stated in his first press conference as United manager. In the same press conference, he highlights the importance of the players being unified and giving their 100 percentage. It is a new exciting time for United fans as the Ten Hag era has begun.