Erik Ten Hag was sacked by Man United yesterday following the club's poor start to the season which left the club in 14th place in the Premier League.
This is what I thought of the decision.
I wasn't at all surprised that he got the sack as he was under a lot of pressure for a long time and results weren't improving. No progress was made under his management, despite winning two trophies, and there was no clear identity in how his team played.
Many people asked during his reign what Man United's identity was, but nobody knew because they never really had one. They weren't a team who pressed, started games on the front foot or would dominate possession. Many of their performances during his reign were unconvincing because of them having a clear identity in the way they played, which has been an issue for United for many years now.
Recruitment wasn't great either as most of the signings he made did not deliver, including the signings he made this season. 5 of the players he signed were with him at Ajax in Lisandro Martinez, Antony, Andre Onana, Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs De Ligt, but none of them have made a big enough difference or improved the team.
Who comes in next?
I honestly have no idea who will be their next manager as there are no outstanding candidates. United have become an unmanageable football club since Ferguson left as they've gone through so many managers and not one of them has worked out.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy will take charge as caretaker for the time being after returning as Ten Hag's assistant during the summer. He might be the best fit for them as he's someone who knows the club and is someone who the fans will get behind, due to him being a club legend. He's also had experience of being a manager from when he was at PSV two seasons ago, where he did pretty well as he won the Dutch Cup.
The last time United brought back a club legend to take over as caretaker manager, it made a difference. It was when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came back and his return lifted the place as he got the players playing with a freedom.
Could Ruud make the same impact as Solskjaer did?
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