Erik ten Hag: Manchester United manager’s contract extended to 2026

Author: BBC Sport

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Manchester United have triggered a one-year extension in Erik ten Hag’s contract to keep him at the club until 2026.

The Dutchman’s previous deal, which he signed when he was appointed in 2022, was due to expire in 2025.

Ten Hag, who joined United from Ajax, has won two trophies in two years at Old Trafford.

“I am very pleased to have reached agreement with the club to continue working together,” said the 54-year-old.

“Looking back at the past two years, we can reflect with pride on two trophies and many examples of progression from where we were when I joined.”

Ten Hag stressed “we must also be clear that there is still lots of hard work ahead”.

United finished third in the Premier League during Ten Hag’s first season at the club as the Dutchman ended the club’s six-year wait for silverware with victory against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

But the Dutchman’s second season was far more difficult as United finished eighth in the Premier League and were knocked out of the Champions League group stages.

A 2-1 victory against Manchester City in May’s FA Cup final proved vital to Ten Hag keeping his job.

The club, led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe following his investment last December, conducted a review of the team’s performance across the season following the victory at Wembley.

The review saw United speak to potential replacements for Ten Hag but it was eventually decided that the Dutchman deserved to keep his job in order to work under a new, improved structure.

Ratcliffe has overhauled the club’s board structure since taking a 27.7% in the club.

Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada, Sir Dave Brailsford and Dan Ashworth have all joined in senior positions.

“This group of players and staff have already shown they are capable of competing and winning at the top level; now we need to do it more consistently,” said sporting director Ashworth.

“With our strengthened football leadership team now in place, we are looking forward to working hand-in-hand with Erik to achieve our shared ambitions for this football club.”

United are in talks with Ten Hag to restructure his backroom staff.

Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was PSV Eindhoven manager from 2022-23, is expected to return to Old Trafford as part of a revamped coaching set-up alongside Go Ahead Eagles manager Rene Hake.

Former Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell also joins United as director of global talent on a short-term deal to assist during the current transfer window, with an extended stay not ruled out.

‘There will be no excuses’ – analysis

Chief football news reporter Simon Stone

The announcement over Erik ten Hag’s contract was virtually automatic once it became clear Manchester United had decided to stick with the Dutchman.

His existing deal was due to expire in 2025 and it contained an option for an additional year.

Ten Hag’s terms have not been improved, so all that has happened really is the option has been triggered.

Potentially of more significance is the planned arrival of Rene Hake from Go Ahead Eagles and former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has been out of work since quitting as PSV Eindhoven manager in 2023, as part of Ten Hag’s revamped coaching team.

With Dan Ashworth now in place and putting his name to United’s statement in his first public utterances as sporting director, and Omar Berrada taking over as chief executive within a fortnight, the structures will soon be in place that Sir Jim Ratcliffe felt were missing before.

Shortly, there will be no excuses for Ten Hag.

Any semblance of another eighth-placed finish and he won’t even get close to reaching the end of this repackaged new contract.

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