To go from talking to numerous candidates to offering Erik ten Hag a new contract at Manchester United is quite the turnaround, but Ineos have their reasons for sticking by the Dutchman.
After waiting over two weeks for the new co-owners to conduct an end-of-season review, the shock news that Ten Hag will be staying emerged late on Tuesday night, much to the delight of the majority of the club’s fan base.
The fact Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank were all spoken to as potential replacements, either directly or via their representatives, shows that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, American majority owner Joel Glazer and Ineos’ head of sport, Sir Dave Brailsford, who conducted the review, are not completely convinced by Ten Hag.
However, i understands they feel the Dutchman at least deserves a chance to work within a proper footballing structure, which they plan to implement.
That means, going forward, Ten Hag’s role will change. Sources said new technical director Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves will lead this summer’s transfer window activity, with Ten Hag taking a back seat from now on to focus on coaching. He had initially been prominent in identifying targets, to limited success.
It took over two weeks following the FA Cup victory over Manchester City to decide the manager’s fate, which insiders said was a reasonable amount of time to conduct the review – even if it left Ten Hag feeling in a state of flux.
It is understood such reviews will take place yearly under Ineos.
Despite Ineos initially insisting the cup final would have no bearing on their final decision, the manner of the City victory and dominant performance over their all-conquering rivals played a huge part in swaying opinion.
How Ten Hag came out fighting, amid all the rumours, also impressed the new overlords. The way he conducted himself in the final months of the season, with “dedication and dignity”, stood him in good stead.
Sources said that no other candidate Ineos held talks with really convinced them change was needed.
Gareth Southgate, who is unavailable currently, is the top pick in the eyes of Ratcliffe, Brailsford and incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth, and a future move cannot be ruled out if United endure more Premier League misery next season, though it is understood that not everyone in the hierarchy is convinced by the England coach.
Ten Hag’s work in developing young players including Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo has been described as “excellent”, creating potential for the squad to improve next season and beyond. That played its part too.
Several mitigating factors that led to United’s lowest-ever Premier League finish last term were also taken into account, including the sheer volume of injuries, especially in key positions. New signings, made for the long-term – Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount – have needed time to bed in.
Ten Hag’s current contract ends at the end of next season, with the club having the option of extending it by a further 12 months. A manager at a club of United’s stature needs more security than that, which is why talks will begin over a new deal.
Now the focus can shift to revamping the squad. Player sales are key to this process. One figure who can generate plentiful funds to reinvest is Jadon Sancho and he is now almost certain to be moved on, given his relationship with Ten Hag has been described as “irreparable” after the pair’s very public falling out last September.
The 24-year-old had been open to giving his United career another shot after returning to the club following a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund last season, but the chances of being given a fresh start by Teg Hag are slim.
i understands there is interest from clubs across Europe, but Dortmund themselves are struggling to get the funds together to make Sancho’s return to Germany a permanent one.
Mason Greenwood is another who could be moved on quickly, with Juventus reportedly readying a £30m plus bonuses offer. They are understood to need to also sell players first, like Italy forward Federico Chiesa, before they can splash the cash.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/0qzxYue
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