Manchester United is reportedly looking to initiate negotiations with their manager, Erik ten Hag, for a potential contract extension. Ten Hag assumed the role of manager for the club in 2022, and his inaugural season saw the team secure a third-place finish in the Premier League and clinch the Carabao Cup. While they started the current campaign with two victories, they have also encountered difficulties, suffering four losses and grappling with off-field issues.
As of now, Ten Hag’s contract with Manchester United is set to run until June 2025, with the option of a one-year extension. Nevertheless, it has been planned from the outset that discussions for a renewal would commence approximately 18 months after the initial agreement. The club’s leadership has reportedly been in contact with Ten Hag’s representatives, indicating their intention to continue with him at the helm.
The Glazer family, who own the club, had declared their intent to explore strategic alternatives for ownership transfer or investment about ten months ago. This ongoing process has caused instability within the club, affecting both the staff and the team’s performance. Since assuming his role, Chief Executive Richard Arnold has been given control over operational procedures, focusing on securing player and staff contract renewals in the usual manner. Notably, Marcus Rashford signed a new long-term contract over the summer, and now it seems that Ten Hag is on the verge of entering contract discussions.
Despite recent setbacks and off-field challenges, Ten Hag appears to have the support of Arnold and John Murtough, who continue to back him as the right choice to lead Manchester United forward. They believe that Ten Hag is essential for maintaining discipline and cohesion within the team, especially in the midst of turmoil related to the club’s ownership.
One point of contention has been the need to establish and enforce standards within the club. Ten Hag has acknowledged publicly that there was a lack of a positive culture prior to his arrival from Ajax. Despite significant financial and wage investments in players like Jadon Sancho in 2021, the management still supports Ten Hag’s efforts to instill these standards.
In the past year, Manchester United experienced a public falling out with Cristiano Ronaldo, leading to his departure from the team. Additionally, Harry Maguire recently lost his leadership role. The club sees Ten Hag as a critical figure in maintaining discipline and unity among players and staff, particularly in light of the unrest surrounding the club’s ownership.
Despite potential changes in ownership, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim among the prospective buyers, the Glazer family has not made a decision yet. The Raine Group, responsible for managing the takeover on their behalf, is awaiting word from the Glazers regarding the status of the proposals made for Manchester United, which could involve a transaction of £6 billion.