Manchester United have announced the termination of Erik ten Hag’s contract after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to take interim charge.
The Dutchman was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, which left United sitting 14th in the Premier League table.
A club statement said: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.
“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.
“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”
According to multiple reports, United were keen to give the former Ajax boss time to fit into the new sporting structure. But recent results and performances have not been deemed good enough, despite being given the resources to make a success of it.
Speculation regarding Ten Hag’s departure was fuelled when the club’s minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, would give no reassurances regarding the Dutchman’s future in early October.
United have been on the receiving end of two heavy defeats at Old Trafford this season, losing 3-0 to both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur – the latter of which Ten Hag said he “denies” being a true result, due to Bruno Fernandes’ early red card eventually being overturned.
Ten Hag had issued a rallying cry to the club’s supporters, previously telling TNT Sports, “we will get there” after Harry Maguire’s late equaliser salvaged a 3-3 draw with FC Porto in the UEFA Europa League in October.
The United boss also felt United’s worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign had been hugely influenced by their extensive injury list, with players such as Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw seeing spells on the sidelines.
United remain winless in the Europa League, most recently drawing 1-1 with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, as only goal difference sets the Premier League club above the bottom 12 teams in the league phase.
Ten Hag has now followed David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in being sacked from his role at Old Trafford – as the club continue in search of their first Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
Ten Hag signed a one-year contract extension in July, committing himself to the club until 2026 after leading United to FA Cup glory with a 2-1 win over Manchester City.
However, that victory was a rare high point in an otherwise disappointing campaign which saw United finish eighth – their lowest final position in Premier League history.
The Red Devils were also eliminated in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, following a first season which yielded plenty of promise.
The 54-year-old led United to a third-place finish in the 2022/23 campaign, and ended their six-year wait for a major trophy with victory over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.
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