Erik ten Hag can’t use same excuse as Jose Mourinho who made fatal decision at Chelsea

The excuses behind Jose Mourinho’s 2016 Chelsea sacking – that he wasn’t backed and had a reduced pre-season – don’t apply to Erik ten Hag. Ten Hag has, after a drawn-out process that included a crunch meeting, one-year extension and countless disappointing performances, finally been relieved of his duties in charge of Manchester United.

One of the men partially responsible for his sacking was former Red Devils manager Mourinho, whose Fenerbahce side held United to a 1-1 draw in the Europa League last week.

The Portuguese boss suffered a similar fate to Ten Hag in 2016 when he was fired just seven months after winning the league title. However, he had excuses, while Ten Hag did not.

Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge – having left in 2007 – after spells with Inter and Real Madrid. He then remarkably saw his Blues crowned champions in May 2015, losing just three matches all term.

However, the Portuguese coach trusted a core group of players who helped him to this league title despite very little squad depth. With his relationship with then-owner Roman Abramovich stained from his first spell, Mourinho was financially scarcely going to be backed entering the next campaign.

This forced him to cut his pre-season short, from the usual six weeks to just three-and-a-half, giving his core group a rest ahead of their title defence. Yet, this did not pay off. The players simply couldn’t get back to full fitness in time, no new stars were brought in, and Mourinho, much like Ten Hag, lasted until winter before being ousted.

Ten Hag, on the other hand, has undergone a very different summer when entering this crunch season. He was backed by new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with over £200million spent on new additions, and enjoyed a full pre-season.

This ideal prep, spearheaded by the trust shown in the Dutchman via his one-year extension, just goes to show how poorly a job Ten Hag was doing at Old Trafford. The club’s statement that was released upon his sacking indicates that a search is underway to find the next man to take up the helm, and United’s hierarchy will have to get this one right if they are to steer the ship back on course.

“Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” a club statement read. “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.”