Sir Jim Ratcliffe was asked why he kept Erik ten Hag at Manchester United during new interview

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has provided insights into the decision to retain Erik ten Hag as first-team manager. This decision came two-and-a-half weeks after United’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City and followed an end-of-season review. Despite finishing eighth in the league, the worst Premier League finish in the club’s history, and being under intense scrutiny, Ten Hag was ultimately retained.

INEOS, United’s owners, had considered several potential replacements, including Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino. However, both parties preferred to continue with Ten Hag, a decision Ratcliffe discussed at The Times CEO Summit. When asked why he chose to keep faith in Ten Hag, Ratcliffe highlighted the Dutchman’s coaching credentials, noting his success at Ajax and his experience at Bayern Munich before being interrupted by another question.

The interviewer asked if Manchester United’s success hinged on the choice of coach. Ratcliffe responded by emphasizing that the problem cannot solely be attributed to the coach. He pointed out that United had gone through multiple coaches over the past 11 seasons, including some very good ones, without success. Ratcliffe stressed the importance of the environment in which the coach operates, mentioning that INEOS is focusing on improving management, practices, and the quality of people at the club.

Ratcliffe’s comments echoed sentiments he expressed earlier to Bloomberg, where he stated that the coach isn’t the central issue at Manchester United. He elaborated on the need for a competitive yet supportive environment, especially considering the relatively young age of the players.

Ten Hag, speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS, acknowledged ongoing discussions with United about his new contract. He confirmed that while United had explored other options, including speaking with Tuchel, they concluded that Ten Hag was the best choice. He also revealed that club officials had met with him in Ibiza to discuss his future.

Ten Hag noted that the new leadership at INEOS is still getting accustomed to football, and it’s normal for them to reflect on the season and evaluate multiple candidates. He explained that while such evaluations might not be common practice in Holland, they are standard in England.

Overall, Ratcliffe’s and Ten Hag’s comments indicate a comprehensive approach to addressing Manchester United’s challenges, focusing not just on coaching but on creating a conducive environment for success.