A focus on trusting the managerial process at Manchester United
With final preparations underway ahead of today’s Old Trafford meeting with Arsenal, Erik ten Hag is again under scrutiny as the Manchester United managerial conversation continues.
United currently sight in eighth position in the Premier League, three points behind fellow European football-chasing Chelsea and Newcastle, having played one game less.
Throughout a season that has returned a barrage of poor results, questionable performances and endless injuries, the Dutchman’s over-achieving debut season has been tossed aside, with cries for a change in the managerial hot seat aplenty.
But, should Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his best-in-class boardroom opt to make a change, any successor would be a sixth permanent appointment post-Sir Alex Ferguson – or one every 1.8 years, continuing a detrimental process.
Rewriting history
It has become common practice for football writers, pundits and supporters to rewrite history to suit a particular agenda.
Following the final whistle of Ten Hag’s first season in Manchester, while disappointment was the underlying tone in London, the general acceptance was he had overachieved.
A third-placed finish and progression to both domestic cup finals, winning one, signalled a positive platform to work with and a general sense that the mismanaged giant was in good hands.
Now, less than twelve months later, many of his previous applauders have opted to forget 2022/23 – instead labelling the man clueless and opting to assume he’s become a bad manager in a matter of months.
An undeniable sense of familiarity
It is four months past 34 years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Crystal Palace, seeing a seventh defeat in 16 league fixtures cement the side in 12th position.
Following Monday’s horror show at Selhurst Park, a modern-day ‘Ta-Ra Fergie’ has reared its head in an eerily similar fashion – when also factoring the FA Cup rekindling with a certain Mark Robins.
Now, I’m not saying that the Dutchman is today’s version of the legendary Scot, but his career accomplishments are undeniable, and they are suddenly irrelevant in the face of adversity – again, similar to Sir Alex’s achievements with Aberdeen.
At what point does common sense factor into the equation
David Moyes and Ole Gunnar Solskjær aside, the accomplishments and experiences of Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho were unquestionable, with all but Moyes offering a variety of memorable moments before adversity.
The common denominator has been a lack of proper footballing hierarchy at the club – one that has overseen a calamity of decisions.
Despite the arrival of United’s white knight this season, Ten Hag has felt a familiar blow – on top of the hideous barrage of variables that he has had to contend with. Don’t get me wrong – he is not without fault – but is he the disaster that many paint him to be?
His 57.27% win percentage stands proud and tall in the football club’s history, and three domestic finals in two seasons is a staggering achievement. All while contending with a squad that many profess to be inadequate and a deafening injury record that would damage anyone.
Does a new manager offer guaranteed success
The obvious answer is maybe. Is Ten Hag the best manager in the world – no. Does he have the football acumen and desire to strive towards this – yes.
People seem to forget that winning breeds momentum and positivity. Losing deflates everyone surrounding a team – particularly the media-favourite Manchester United.
The 54-year-old has stated that his new boss is educated and understands the scenario. As reported by Sky Sports, the United chief is ‘confident that common sense will prevail’, as a decision is made over his future.
With many managers in the market for a new home, outgoing Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel would relish the opportunity, with former manager Mourinho reportedly happy to walk to Manchester for a second chance. Despite their pedigree, both have a track record of disagreeing with hierarchy – not ideal here.
Will he stay
At this stage, there is a handful of people who know the answer to this question, and none of them have disclosed this.
It was evident Solskjær’s time was up, and ‘the special one’ admitted himself that it was time to part company. None of these indications currently exist with Ten Hag – but for a barrage of furious pundits and social media accounts.
It is easy to vent frustrations and dream of a better conclusion with a different chief, but as recent history has highlighted, it’s not always the solution at Old Trafford.
I am also frustrated, but INEOS has not even begun their project. Ten Hag deserves the start of next season to work alongside his new chief. Who knows – maybe the Ajax manager that the fanbase craved will be allowed to flourish.
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