Erik ten Hag’s job appears to be safe at Manchester United despite big changes expected at the Premier League giants following investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group.
The Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan rather succinctly sums up the feeling in some quarters behind the scenes at Old Trafford with Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to finally fight off competition from Sheikh Jassim and Qatar.
There are concerns, among members of Manchester United’s backroom staff, that Ratcliffe will now opt to bring in his own men. Richard Arnold and John Murtough – chief executive and director of football respectively – are among those likely to be fighting for their future. Especially if links with former Tottenham and Monaco chief Paul Mitchell prove to be on the money.
One man who can sleep a little easier tonight, however, is Erik ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag safe at Manchester United
The Telegraph reports that there is ‘admiration’ from INEOS towards the job Ten Hag has done during 17 months at Old Trafford, the Dutchman thriving in difficult circumstances at a club who have resembled a clown car in an F1 race in recent Premier League seasons.
Ten Hag should even be boosted, meanwhile, by suggestions that Ratcliffe will take over footballing operations imminently, should the Glazer family ratify his proposal this week.
Despite spending heavily under the former Ajax boss, United have long since looked like a team in dire need of some genuine sporting intelligence at the very top of the club.
And Ratcliffe’s experience at Nice in France should stand the Red Devils in good stead.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes sporting control
“Many clubs would like to have such a shareholder,” former Nice defender Jose Cobos tells Le Quotidien Du Sport. “He is discreet, but always present. When many clubs sold players, Nice bought a lot and made efforts to keep the team competitive.
“Spending 40 million euros in a transfer window is not nothing. It proves that Jim Ratcliffe is still determined to help the club win.
“He works over time as he has done in other sports with success. He is preparing tomorrow’s successes today. His method has proven itself.”
Ratcliffe will initially take over 25 per cent of Manchester United. It remains to be seen whether a full takeover further down the line is on the cards.
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