July 31, Manchester United legend Roy Keane believes the club’s decision to extend manager Erik ten Hag’s contract is only a temporary measure and the Dutchman’s job could be on the line if the Red Devils fail to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Ten Hag had just one year remaining on his initial deal following a disastrous 2023/24 campaign, with United finishing eighth in the Premier League. Despite winning the FA Cup, his future was uncertain with many predicting Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS would dispense with the manager’s services. But in the end, Ten Hag was handed a new contract, extending his stay at Old Trafford until the summer of 2026.
Fellow United legend Gary Neville was particularly baffled by the decision, stating: “I was a bit surprised by the Ten Hag renewal, because the narrative was very much around whether he was going to stay or not, and then all of a sudden he got a new contract.”
Keane, however, feels that the renewal doesn’t necessarily guarantee Ten Hag’s long-term future at the club. “Ten Hag only had one year left on his contract, so they didn’t want to go into the new season with that uncertainty,” the Irishman explained. “The terms of the contract are still the same, it doesn’t mean that United won’t sack Ten Hag in October or November. It’s just a message to the outside world that ‘we’re backing Ten Hag.'”
Keane went on to say: “I think if they hadn’t won the FA Cup, he would have been gone. If you win a trophy, you’re going to get some breathing space, but they can’t continue being eighth next season. They have to be competing for a top-four place. I know it’s going to be tough, but they have to get going again because their Premier League record over the last 12 months has been terrible.”
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