The most compelling argument in favor of retaining Erik ten Hag at the end of last season was the notion that he had yet to experience the benefits of an elite sporting structure at Manchester United. If one were to be cheeky, they might argue that he still hasn’t. Fourteen games at the start of the 2024-25 season may hardly qualify as an ‘opportunity,’ especially when elite sporting organizations typically do not extend a manager’s contract only to dismiss them a mere four months later.

Perhaps this is a harsh critique of co-owner INEOS’ early actions. After all, the summer transfer window did see most of the club’s pressing needs addressed, plans for the redevelopment of Old Trafford stadium and the Carrington training ground progressed, and several esteemed executives appointed in a revamped hierarchy. Nonetheless, the pivotal question of whether to support or dismiss Ten Hag has loomed large for United’s leadership team since minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe began to take charge following the INEOS deal in February.

Ten Hag’s termination, reported by The Athletic, signifies that the commitment to retain him at the end of last season will be remembered as a significant error—one that comes at a substantial cost. There were whispers of Ten Hag’s precarious position as early as May, following a recommendation to replace him during a meeting of executives in Monaco, which occurred in the weeks leading up to the FA Cup final. Discussions were held with potential candidates, discussions that overshadowed their preparations for the match at Wembley.

Despite the uncertainty, after an unexpected victory against Manchester City in the final, United opted to maintain the status quo rather than make a change. Given the chaotic nature of their decision-making process, extending Ten Hag’s contract was seen as a necessary gesture of faith in a manager who had faced considerable undermining. It is worth noting that Ten Hag was never Ratcliffe’s choice for the managerial position at United.

Following a summer characterized by cost-cutting measures that resulted in the loss of 250 jobs, United now finds itself in a position where it must compensate their departing manager significantly more than would have been necessary had this decision been made earlier in the summer. The outcome of this protracted saga is that, after being one of the last Premier League clubs to finalize their managerial situation for the season, United has now become the first to initiate a change. This occurs shortly after the club invested over £200 million ($260 million) in a summer transfer window to acquire players Ten Hag had endorsed.

Despite some positive developments in various departments, the fact that United’s newly established hierarchy has had to reverse their most significant decision thus far can only be seen as an early blemish on the INEOS record.

Accountability and Future Directions

Meanwhile, the Glazer family will likely escape accountability for the failed managerial appointment made under their watch, marking their fifth permanent hiring since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement over 11 years ago, all while maintaining a 69.1% ownership stake in the club. This was part of the arrangement when Ratcliffe invested £1.3 billion to take control of football operations at Old Trafford, and perhaps it is now clear why the Florida-based siblings were so willing to accept this outcome. However, with significant responsibility comes immense power, and despite the missteps in handling Ten Hag’s exit, this marks the inception of United’s INEOS-led era in earnest.

The speed and efficiency with which the 2024-25 season can be salvaged now rests on Ratcliffe and his appointed executives. This situation will serve as a litmus test for how elite the sporting structure they have implemented truly is, and how well-prepared they were to respond to a scenario that many observers had anticipated.

To be fair to the United leadership, the greatest error would have been to give in to the sunk-cost fallacy and retain Ten Hag regardless of circumstances. Even if the optics surrounding this dismissal are less than favorable, they have at least acknowledged that recent performances and results were damaging enough to warrant decisive action. Ten Hag’s appeals for patience and requests to delay judgments until the conclusion of his third season ignored the reality that he was already operating on borrowed time. The club has now altered its course early enough in the season to allow for a permanent or interim successor to rectify the situation.

While United currently find themselves only seven points above the relegation zone after nine games, they are also merely seven points adrift of the coveted fourth place. Although a significant chunk of the season has passed—with only three league victories against Fulham, Southampton, and Brentford—the opportunity to turn things around still exists.

Moving Forward

The process of securing a replacement for Ten Hag now needs to be both smooth and decisive. This time, there has not been a public spectacle of speed dating for candidates—perhaps a sign that lessons have been learned from past errors. Once a successor is appointed, that individual will be an INEOS appointee. The newly established structure, which Ratcliffe emphasized as crucial, will be fully operational, with virtually every senior executive and member of the coaching staff being a new face, extending even to the individual standing on the touchline.

In spite of the confusion that accompanied this summer’s extension, the decision to part ways with Ten Hag is somewhat simplified by the fact that he was never Ratcliffe’s choice. This arrangement was always one of convenience, destined for separation, much like a couple trying to stay together for the sake of their children. Ultimately, Ten Hag was the selection of another regime, and when push came to shove, he could be easily classified as someone else’s miscalculation.

However, this will not apply to his successor. The assessment of the INEOS-led era at Old Trafford will be contingent on the performance and decisions of this new manager. Following the reversal of their first major managerial decision under their stewardship, United’s hierarchy now faces another decision—one that is entirely theirs. This time, it is crucial that they get it right.

(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Dan Goldfarb)