Manchester United's FA Cup victory over Manchester City helped Erik ten Hag save his job. Photo: Getty Images/Ash Donelon
Manchester United and Erik ten Hag are hoping to quickly reach an agreement on a contract extension after the club decided to maintain confidence in the Dutchman after talks with more than half a dozen potential replacements. With contract negotiations likely to require compromises on both sides, Telegraph Sport looks at the hurdles they will have to overcome.
Length of contract
Ten Hag's current contract runs until the end of next season and the Dutchman wants any new deal to demonstrate a long-term commitment from Ineos. As reported by Telegraph Sport on Thursday, Ten Hag is seeking a two-year extension until 2027, rather than just an extra year. It is unclear whether Ineos will raise the possibility of breaking any long-term deal.
The United delegation, led by Sir Dave Brailsford, Ineos' sporting director, showed remorse for Ten Hag during constructive private talks on Tuesday in Ibiza, where the manager was holidaying. The challenge now is to show they are serious about moving forward together after their relationship was strained by their courtship of potential replacements.
Erik ten Hag was given a second chance at Manchester United. Photo: PA/Martin Rickett
Indeed, it should not be overlooked that following a meeting in Monaco on May 14 between Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Brailsford, interim CEO Jean-Claude Blanc and technical director Jason Wilcox, there was consensus that Ten Hag should go. Negotiations followed, either directly or through representatives, with the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Roberto De Zerbi, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, Mauricio Pochettino and Marco Silva. However, in the end, United refused to change.
The situation has undermined Ten Hag's authority, but good will on both sides to move forward should now lead to a genuine regrouping and debunk the theory that the former Ajax boss is simply keeps the chair warm until someone better comes along.
Control of transfers
Ten Hag has exercised enormous control over transfers since taking charge of Old Trafford, with decidedly mixed results. At his insistence, for example, United spent 14 weeks searching for Frenkie de Jong, although the Dutch midfielder had no interest in leaving Barcelona, and went all in on Anthony, for whom they paid £85.5 million. that is, more than £30 million. above their upper price limit.
Erik ten Hag-backed signings such as Anthony's £85.5m have backfired. Photo: Getty Images/Ash Donelon
Ten Hag has an agreement in his contract giving him the right to veto transfers if he disagrees with scouts' recommendations, but Ineos now wants transfers to be handled by the recruitment team. Ten Hag is thought to have little chance of relinquishing influence over recruitment entirely, but it remains to be seen whether he is prepared to have his so-called “veto” relegated to the category of “contribution” or something broader. this will at least give him a say in the process if Ineos wants change.
Manager vs head coach
Ineos supports the idea of the head coach working within a cohesive, high-functioning structure. Any possible successor to Ten Hag would likely hold that title rather than the title of coach the Dutchman currently holds. It is not certain that Ineos will push for a name change during contract negotiations, but if it does, it may face resistance from Ten Hag given the clear expectations he has for his role at Old Trafford.
Game. model
This can be the biggest source of tension during negotiations and may require the most compromise to keep negotiations from breaking down. Ten Hag bristled at the idea of a playing style and identity being imposed on him when Telegraph Sport reported in April that Ineos and new chief executive Omar Berrada had tasked Wilcox with creating a “playing model”.
In his program notes for the Burnley game, he even responded by insisting that he was developing “a general playing model with consistent training methods and playing styles.” The benefits of a more compact midfield and formation were evident in the impressive FA Cup final win over Manchester City, and Wilcox could encourage such moves within a 4-3-3 system with wide wingers.
Jason Wilcox, United's technical director, will oversee the new “playing model”; at Old Trafford Photo: Getty Images/Richard Heathcote
United management were alarmed by how open and vulnerable the team was last season. But Ten Hag has long been of the opinion that the coach should determine the style of play, and is unlikely to take kindly to changes being forced upon him.
Coaching staff
Ten Hag's squad Backroom staff are also likely to play a major role in contract negotiations . Ten Hag forwards coach Benny McCarthy is out of contract at the end of this month and wants clarity on his future. Darren Fletcher vacated his position as technical director following Wilcox's arrival and is also waiting to see what the future holds. Eric Ramsay, the full-time coach, was never replaced after he left Old Trafford in February to become head coach of Major League Soccer side Minnesota United.
Ten Hag values his top lieutenants Mitchell van der Gaag, another strong-willed man of principle, and Steve McClaren, but there has been talk throughout the season that Ineos is potentially looking to change or add to the manager's coaching team. . In this area, Ten Hag may be open to recommendations, although difficulties may arise if he feels that someone is being thrust upon him that he does not want.
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