The Unusual Patience at Manchester United: Why is Erik ten Hag Still in Charge?
The continued employment of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United is baffling to manny observers. In the hyper-competitive world of elite European football, a record like his would almost certainly lead to dismissal at clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or even Italy’s giants. Consider this: would Real Madrid tolerate a manager losing eight of twelve league games, as Ten Hag did between December and February? The answer is a resounding no.
The situation isn’t just about ownership tolerance. Fans of Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Inter, or AC Milan wouldn’t passively accept such results. Outrage would be the norm,manifesting in boycotts,protests,and even direct confrontation wiht the coaching staff. Yet, at Old Trafford, a degree of support – at least visibly at matches - persists.
this unusual patience stems from a unique club history. The 27-year reign of Sir Alex Ferguson instilled a culture of loyalty, and a weariness with constant managerial upheaval. Ferguson’s parting plea – to ”stand by the new manager” – resonated deeply with the Old Trafford faithful. This has played out through the tenures of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and now, Erik ten Hag, despite periods of meaningful struggle for each.
However, the question remains: why is Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a businessman known for decisive – and sometimes ruthless – action (demonstrated by the recent layoffs of 450 employees and the removal of employee perks), showing such restraint? The situation presents a genuine conundrum for the United co-owner, and one that continues to fuel debate amongst fans and pundits alike.
