Erik ten Hag update: everything we know on Man United decision

Manchester United are still conducting their review into the 2023/24 season before making a decision on Erik ten Hag’s future as manager.

United’s campaign ended with a triumphant 2-1 victory over rivals City in the FA Cup final, finishing an otherwise disappointing year with major silverware. They were dumped out of the Champions League at the group stage, they exited the Carabao Cup early and they ended the Premier League season in eighth.

Here’s everything we currently know about the review, Ten Hag’s job, the contenders to take over and what comes next in a pivotal summer at Old Trafford.

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What happens next at Man United – the review

It’s now more than a week since Ten Hag and his players paraded around the Wembley turf with the FA Cup in their hands.

As reported by the MEN on May 28, United were not expecting to make a decision on Ten Hag’s future straight after the cup final, despite reports circling even before the game saying the Dutchman would be sacked – whatever the outcome at Wembley.

Club sources have said United are still reviewing their season, although it’s also been suggested United could make the announcement at some point this week. United will not provide a running commentary to the media on the situation, but the review is close to completion.

Officially, Ten Hag has a contract that runs for another year, with the option to extend that by a further 12 months.

But that – nor the FA Cup victory – will not deter United from making a decision to sack him if that’s what their review concludes.

Incoming chief executive Omar Berrada does not start until July 13 but is said to be getting his hands dirty already, involved in the review along with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, technical director Jason Wilcox and others. United want Dan Ashworth to head up their football department as sporting director but he’s still serving gardening leave from Newcastle.

Who is in contention to take the job – the contenders

Kieran McKenna was linked with managerial vacancies at Chelsea and Brighton but his preference was to take over at United if favoured by the hierarchy. In the end, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s former assistant has chosen to sign a new contract at current club Ipswich, so would appear to be out of the running.

Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino are now the main frontrunners to become the next United manager. Both men would relish the chance to manage United, with Pochettino coveted by the club for years and admired by Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Argentinian is the 11/8 favourite with most bookmakers to get the job, with Tuchel 5/2. Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank and Gareth Southgate are the others linked with the job. The latter seems unlikely given United’s desire to make a firm decision in the coming weeks; Southgate is tied up with England’s Euro 2024 campaign for at least the rest of this month.

What is Ten Hag doing now?

It’s understood that Ten Hag is currently taking a holiday, as planned, following the end of the season. He repeatedly stated that he’d been given no assurances about his United future in interviews after the FA Cup final. He is waiting for the call to stay or go.

Reports this week state that Ten Hag will find out by the end of the week if he still has a job. United have been making contact with agents of other potential managers.

A key decision for Ten Hag’s future, and United’s long-term future, looms large.