Featured Image Credit: Getty/beIN SPORTS
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Richard Keys, Premier League
Ben McCrum
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Richard Keys, Premier League
Richard Keys has had his say on Sir Jim Ratcliffe's decision to keep Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager.
Following a post-season review by the club, Ten Hag is set to keep his position as manager of Manchester United and is in talks to extend his contract.
As it stands, the Dutch manager’s contract will expire at the end of the 2024/25 season.
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Despite their lowest ever Premier League finish last season, an unlikely win in the FA cup final - where United defeated local rivals Manchester City 2-1, has led the club's owners to keep faith in Ten Hag.
After buying a minority stake in the club in December, new owners INEOS - led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have taken over football operations at the club.
While many fans have responded positively to the news, praising the manager for how he has dealt with two tumultuous seasons at the club, beIN SPORTS presenter Richard Keys has criticised the decision to keep the Dutchman.
Keys posted on X: "It's hardly a vote of confidence is it? 'You can stay because no-one wants to work for us'. I told you nothing would change under Sunny Jim.
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"What a shambles."
As part of the end of season review, INEOS were supposedly considering several other managers as replacements for Ten Hag.
Having left Bayern Munich at the end of last season, former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was one of several candidates considered to replace Ten Hag.
The German met with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team in Monaco on Tuesday to discuss the role, but it is understood that Tuchel has decided to take time away from football.
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Another former Chelsea manager that was considered for the role was Mauricio Pochettino, who departed the London club less than three weeks ago.
After managing the World XI in the Soccer Aid charity match, the Argentine suggested that he was open to the move, but he will have to look to another club if he wants to continue management next season.
Other candidates reportedly considered by United were Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi and Kieran McKenna, who signed an extension with newly promoted Ipswich Town to settle any rumours.
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It is not the first time Keys has commented on Ten Hag's future at United, previously suggesting the Dutchman should quit as manager to save himself from embarrassment amid the club's discussions with other managers.
In another X post earlier this month, he said: "Surely ten Hag is reading the same papers as the rest of us? Sunny Jim is out interviewing candidates for his job as ETH sits meekly at home waiting to discover his future.
"If he had any self-respect he'd have walked out by now."