Manchester United has decided to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract as the manager of the club until 2026. This extension comes after the Dutchman’s previous deal was set to expire in 2025. Since joining United from Ajax in 2022, Ten Hag has achieved two trophies during his time at Old Trafford.
In a statement, the 54-year-old expressed his pleasure in continuing to work with the club. He acknowledged the progress made in the past two years while emphasizing the need for ongoing hard work. Despite a successful first season that saw United finish third in the Premier League and win the Carabao Cup, the following season was more challenging, with an eighth-place finish and an early exit from the Champions League. However, a crucial FA Cup final victory against Manchester City secured Ten Hag’s position as manager.
The club conducted a review of the team’s performance and considered potential replacements for Ten Hag. Ultimately, it was decided that he deserved to continue leading the team under a new and improved structure. With the recent investment by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United has strengthened its board with key appointments like Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford, and Dan Ashworth.
Ashworth, the sporting director, highlighted the team’s potential to compete at the highest level and expressed optimism about working with Ten Hag to achieve shared goals for the club. Talks are underway to restructure Ten Hag’s backroom staff, with the expected return of former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and the addition of Rene Hake to the coaching team.
The extension of Ten Hag’s contract was largely expected given the club’s decision to retain him. While the terms of the contract remain unchanged, the arrival of new coaching staff and the revamped board structure signal a new era for Manchester United. With Ashworth and Berrada in key roles, the club is set to provide the necessary support for Ten Hag to succeed.
As the team looks ahead to the upcoming seasons, the pressure will be on Ten Hag to deliver consistent results. With a strengthened leadership team and a revamped coaching setup, there will be high expectations for United to perform at the top level. The Dutch manager will need to prove himself and guide the team to success to justify the faith placed in him by the club’s hierarchy.