Trusted journo claims the ‘expectation’ is that Ten Hag is sacked; he’s already attracting interest from one club

It’s been widely speculated that Erik ten Hag is on borrowed time at Manchester United following the arrival of minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Questions over the Dutchman’s future are certain to divide the fanbase, with some keen to give him more time in the dugout and others too pessimistic after what’s been a dismal campaign at Old Trafford.

Of course, reigning victorious in the FA Cup and securing more silverware in his sophomore term may give Ten Hag more credit in the bank in the eyes of INEOS chiefs.

On the other hand, the expectation is that a club like United is competing in the Champions League every season. They exited this year’s campaign after finishing rock-bottom of Group A and are now 13 points away from fourth, casting considerable doubt over their European involvement for 2024/2025.

Ratcliffe has already sanctioned the arrivals of key figures in the hierarchy, such as Jason Wilcox as technical director and Omar Berrada as CEO (joining in mid-July) while waiting on the impending arrival of soon-to-be sporting director Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United.

Ajax eye Ten Hag reunion

It wouldn’t come as too much of a shock to see the Englishman call for a change in the dugout, too, and Nizaar Kinsella of Standard Sport claims that ‘the expectation is Sir Jim Ratcliffe sacks Ten Hag at the end of the season with the club having endured a drastic downturn in form in recent weeks’. 

The report adds that Ajax are keen on welcoming Ten Hag back to the Johan Cruyff Arena and have added his name to a three-man managerial shortlist that also includes Graham Potter.