Premier League
Why Manchester United chose Erik ten Hag as their next manager
Manchester United have announced Erik ten Hag will take charge at the end of the season, replacing Ralf Rangnick as manager.
Although Manchester United gave the impression they cast the net as wide as four candidates to become the club’s 12th permanent post-war manager, it was always between two: Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino.
Ultimately, United decided Ten Hag was the manager most closely aligned with the club’s identity and strategy. United sources say they have hired a proven winner who preaches an attractive, attacking style of play and is committed to youth. Ten Hag, although already 52, is viewed by figures at United as one of the most exciting, consistent managers in European football.
High-level sources highlighted Ten Hag improves players and has developed two exciting and successful teams at Ajax. During conversations with the United football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher, Ten Hag outlined his long-term vision to build a successful and exciting team. United were struck by his passion, energy and enthusiasm for a momentous challenge.
Those at United who have spoken to Ten Hag insist he is determined to prove himself in a major league and ready to manage world sport’s most scrutinised institution. Ten Hag coached Bayern Munich II between 2013-15 and sources at United believe his big-club experience in Germany and Holland stands him in good stead.
The United chief executive Richard Arnold has taken a hands-off role in the running of the football side but engaged in the final stages of the managerial process. Arnold, Murtough and Fletcher unanimously agreed Ten Hag was the best candidate.
Six months ago, Brendan Rodgers appealed to the United hierarchy in what were Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final weeks. United held exploratory talks over the Leicester manager yet Leicester’s downward spiral lengthened Rodgers’s odds and eventually, the bookies rubbed his name off their chalkboards.
Rodgers’ sound bites were as unhelpful to his chances as Leicester’s injury record. In France, Pochettino kept his powder dry when Solskjaer was sacked and that was a mistake. United wanted Pochettino in the wake of Solskjaer’s sacking and approached Paris Saint-Germain, who abhorred the prospect of yielding to one of European football’s traditional elite.
Had Pochettino agitated for the job he has had his eyes on for six years then PSG might have relented. Zinedine Zidane was available, just as he is now, and remains the frontrunner to replace Pochettino at the Parc des Princes in the summer.
Perhaps Zidane, a three-times Champions League-winning coach with Real Madrid, would have prevented the collapse at the Bernabeu in February. PSG were 2-0 up on aggregate with 29 minutes remaining in their round-of-16 tie before capitulating again in a 3-2 defeat. PSG’s propensity for collapses is legendary, but that was another nail in Pochettino’s coffin.
Ten Hag and Luis Enrique had their admirers at United early in the season, albeit at a time where there was no contingency plan in the event Solskjaer was sacked. United were so invested in Solskjaer, gifted a three-year contract in July, it was not until the 5-0 evisceration by Liverpool on October 24 that they started drafting a battle plan to replace him.
United’s refusal to flex their muscles and pay £15million to release Pochettino from his contract was the turning point. Enrique was never a remotely realistic option as he was committed to coaching Spain at the World Cup, which commences in November.
The choice of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager, with a two-year consultancy role tagged onto it, was also to Pochettino’s detriment. Ten Hag was always more aligned with Rangnick and the momentum behind Ten Hag started to build in January, with United confident of releasing him from his Ajax contract a year early if they opted for the Dutchman.
It was in January the Manchester Evening News revealed United’s aim to appoint their next manager before the end of the season. Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui received a cursory mention yet it was as much to make up the numbers and give the impression the process was thorough and considerate. Lopetegui was recommended to United by Jorge Mendes, empowered by hastening Solskjaer’s departure in November and eager to appease his client, Cristiano Ronaldo.
There was growing support for Pochettino in the United dressing room in early February yet the club has defied the most uncaring United squad in anyone’s lifetime. Some are ‘underwhelmed by Ten Hag. The players were wisely not consulted on Ten Hag after Ronaldo’s view on Solskjaer (and Antonio Conte) was gauged in October and November.
-MEN
Liverpool will have to wait for a few more days to be crowned Premier League champions despite a 1-0 victory at Leicester City after Arsenal kept their slender hopes just about alive with a 4-0 romp at 10-man Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench to score Liverpool’s winner in the 76th minute at the King Power Stadium to restore their 13-point lead at the top with five games left.
While Liverpool can almost taste a record-equalling 20th English crown, Leicester’s defeat confirmed their relegation back to the Championship after just one season.
The Midlands club have now been relegated from England’s top flight a record 13 times.
Chelsea secured a massive win in their bid to qualify for the Champions League as they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage with Pedro Neto scoring in stoppage time.
The win pushed Chelsea above Nottingham Forest in to fifth place, the last spot for qualification to the Champions League, although Forest play at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
Chelsea have 57 points from 33 games, two behind third-placed Newcastle United and one behind Manchester City. Forest and Aston Villa are level with Chelsea on 57 points.
Wolverhampton Wanderers guaranteed their safety as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford. Pablo Sarabia’s stunning free kick wrapped up a fifth successive league win, the first time Wolves have achieved that in the top flight since 1970.
Liverpool were wasteful at Leicester with numerous chances going begging and Mohamed Salah suffering a frustrating afternoon including hitting both posts with an early shot.
Salah hit the woodwork again moments before the ball came out to Alexander-Arnold who fired a left-footed shot through the crowd to give his side the points — ripping off his shirt and celebrating wildly with the travelling fans.
“We just keep going, mentally we’re really strong,” manager Arne Slot, whose side could be crowned champions if Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, told Sky Sports.
“They enjoy playing football and it helps when you are playing for something special. Today (Alexander-Arnold) knows when it matters most he can just bring a bit more which is something all the top, top players have.”
DISTANT SECOND
If Arsenal avoid defeat by Palace, Slot’s side will seal the title if they beat Tottenham Hotspur at home next Sunday.
“We will focus on Tottenham and looking forward again to a home game and I think the stadium will be full,” Slot, who can become the first Dutch manager to win the English title, said. “It’s a nice game to look forward to.”
Liverpool have 79 points with Arsenal a distant second on 66. Arsenal may have their eyes now on a Champions League semi-final against Paris St Germain, but they showed against Ipswich they will not hand over the title to Liverpool.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring early on and Gabriel Martinelli made it 2-0 after a delightful flick by Mikel Merino.
Ipswich were reduced to 10 men before halftime as Leif Davis crudely raked his studs down the back of Bukayo Saka’s calf and the second half was academic.
Trossard grabbed his second in the 69th minute and Ethan Nwaneri added a late fourth to leave Ipswich stuck in 18th place on 21 points. They will be relegated if they drop points again or 17th-placed West Ham United pick up one more point from their remaining five games.
Chelsea were heading for a damaging defeat at neighbours Fulham as the hosts led with Alex Iwobi’s 20th-minute goal.
Substitute Tyrique George equalised with an instinctive shot in the 83rd minute, his first Premier League goal, before winger Neto swivelled and unleashed a thunderous strike in stoppage time to send the away fans wild.
Manchester United reached the Europa League semi-final with an astonishing comeback win against French club Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday but their Premier League woes returned against Wolves.
They are in 14th place and have now lost eight Premier League home games this season, their most defeats at Old Trafford in a league campaign since 1962-63.
“Wolves scored in the only opportunity they had. we had many chances, and we didn’t score. If you don’t score goals, you are not going to win games,” manager Ruben Amorim said.
-Reuters
Egyptian outlet, Ahram, has reported that Mohamed Salah has signed a new contract with Liverpool, extending his stay at Anfield beyond the 2024-25 season as he prepares for what could be the final chapter of a storied career with the club.
While the terms of the agreement were not disclosed, British media reports indicate the 32-year-old forward has signed a two-year extension, keeping him at the club until at least 2027.
Salah, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, has become a modern-day icon at Anfield.
The Egyptian international has scored 243 goals in 394 appearances—third on the club’s all-time scorers list—and has helped the Reds secure seven major trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League titles.
“I had my best years here,” Salah told the club’s website. “Hopefully it’s going to be 10. I signed because I believe we can still win big trophies together.”
He has maintained his prolific form this season, scoring 32 goals and providing 22 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. His 27 Premier League goals currently lead the division.
During his time with Liverpool, Salah has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times, been named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice, and claimed two FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
Now entering the latter stages of his career, Salah remains focused on adding more silverware to his collection and further cementing his legacy at Liverpool.
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Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga, who became the second-youngest Premier League player when he made his senior debut in Monday’s 3-0 loss to Newcastle United, had to wear a blank shirt because it is sponsored by an online cryptocurrency gaming platform.
Britain’s Gambling Act 2005, which underwent a review in 2020, prohibits players under 18 from wearing kits displaying gambling sponsors. Monga, an England U16 international, made his senior debut at 15 years 271 days old.
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri remains the youngest Premier League player in history, having debuted in the competition when he was 90 days younger than Monga.
Leicester, who suffered an eighth straight loss in the league without scoring a goal, are 19th in the standings, 15 points below the safety zone.
-Reuters
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