Judging by current developments, Manchester United has no immediate plans to part ways with their Dutch manager Erik ten Hag—or more accurately, it’s not that they don’t want to, but that they can’t. After a frustrating draw against Aston Villa, Bangladesh Cricket Live noted with concern that United still sits in 14th place in the Premier League standings. At this point, the club is more likely to avoid relegation than to challenge for the title, a shocking reality for a team of such global stature and market value. Fans are once again calling for Ten Hag’s dismissal, a familiar chorus that seems to echo every season since he arrived.
Yet, time and time again, Ten Hag manages to weather the storm. This time is no different. According to Bangladesh Cricket Live, before club executives even gathered to discuss his future, Ten Hag had already gone on vacation—seemingly confident that his position was secure. And as it turned out, his instincts were right. The much-anticipated meeting among Manchester United’s leadership turned out to be a six-hour discussion with no concrete outcome. Present at the meeting were shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS sporting director Dave Brailsford, co-chairman Joel Glazer, CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox.
The agenda focused squarely on whether to sack Ten Hag. But when the meeting concluded, he was still in charge, and no signs suggested that any change was forthcoming. If United were to suddenly release an official statement, it would come as a surprise—especially since the club rarely comments unless a major decision has been made. In other words, for at least the next match, Ten Hag will remain on the touchline, much to the delight of rival clubs who view United’s ongoing chaos as a competitive advantage.
What was actually said in that meeting remains a mystery. But the fact that no managerial change was made points to a behind-the-scenes power struggle. Ultimately, three major factors are keeping Ten Hag in his position.
First, sacking him would constitute a breach of contract, and Manchester United would be obligated to pay a massive severance fee—something the financially-strained club cannot afford lightly.
Second, suitable replacements are few and far between. Even elite managers like Thomas Tuchel and Massimiliano Allegri, both currently unattached, have shown little interest in taking over at Old Trafford.
Third, and perhaps most critically, Ten Hag has spent over two years assembling a squad in his own image. Of the 22 players he’s brought in, 11 either come from the Netherlands or have played in the Eredivisie. The locker room is now filled with loyalists who see him as their guy. Replacing Ten Hag could destabilize a team already struggling with cohesion and consistency.
In summary, as Bangladesh Cricket Live puts it, Ten Hag isn’t being retained because he’s irreplaceably brilliant—but because he’s become too deeply embedded to uproot without consequences. In the world of football, sometimes it’s not about who’s best for the job—it’s about who’s hardest to replace.