Pep Guardiola said that Manchester United have to make a decision over ‘extraordinary’ manager Erik ten Hag.
The former Ajax boss, who managed Bayern Munich reserves when Guardiola had charge of the first team, has now managed two trophies in two years at Old Trafford after he added the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup he won during his first season in charge. However, he has also overseen United’s worst league campaign in years with an eighth-placed finish.
Reports on the eve of the FA Cup Final suggested Ten Hag would be replaced by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the team now leading United’s football operations regardless of if he won another trophy, although success for the Dutchman over Guardiola improves his CV. If he is to be relieved of his duties, it could repeat the scenes of 2016 when Louis van Gaal won the FA Cup and was sacked within days.
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Guardiola has repeatedly spoken about the importance of stability for success, pointing out that City have had only two managers since 2013 along with one sporting director and one CEO. There has already been a lot of change at top European clubs, with Bayern Munich, Juventus and Chelsea all parting companies with their managers.
City will have Guardiola for at least another season with his contract expiring in 2025, but it remains to be seen whether Ten Hag will get another chance to beat him. “They have to take a decision,” Guardiola said after the match. “He’s a lovely person and an extraordinary manager. Winning the FA Cup is important for them like last season it was for us.”