Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is facing an uncertain future at the club, with a 25 per cent pay cut or even the sack looming if he fails to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification this season. Despite signing a three-year contract in 2022, ten Hag’s position has come under intense scrutiny following a string of disappointing results and exits from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. The Dutchman’s fate could be sealed if United fail to overcome neighbors Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final on April 16th. The Red Devils currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, 13 points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa, and their hopes of securing a top-four spot are fading fast. According to ESPN, failure to reach Europe’s elite competition will result in a 25 per cent reduction in ten Hag’s £9 million-a-year salary, bringing it down to £6.75 million.
The latest reports come amid growing speculation that ten Hag could be on his way out of Old Trafford, with former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter reportedly the leading contender to replace him. England manager Gareth Southgate, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, Brentford’s Thomas Frank, and Wolves’ Gary O’Neil are also said to be in the running.
The club’s hierarchy, including co-chairmen Avram and Joel Glazer, new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and technical director Jason Wilcox, are understood to be monitoring the situation closely and may make a decision on ten Hag’s future before the end of the season. Ratcliffe, who has assumed sporting control at United, has already made significant changes to the club’s off-field structure, bringing in Omar Berrada as the new chief executive and Dan Ashworth as the sporting director. Sir Dave Brailsford, Ratcliffe’s right-hand man, is also expected to have a say in the football department, further increasing the likelihood of ten Hag’s departure.
