Erik ten Hag was mulling over resigning from Manchester United during the summer, amidst criticism of his performance and rumors of the club's discussions with alternative managerial candidates.
His tenure at the helm of the Red Devils came to an abrupt end on Monday, after a two-and-a-half-year period that was increasingly overshadowed by the threat of his dismissal.
Following a lackluster league campaign that resulted in an eighth-place Premier League finish, his position seemed precarious leading up to the FA Cup final in May.
However, an unexpected 2-1 victory over Manchester City provided temporary relief for the ex-Ajax manager. Ten Hag's continued stay was confirmed only after the co-owners Ineos conducted an end-of-season evaluation, which involved consultations with potential managerial candidates.
According to Dutch media outlet De Telegraaf, the news of these meetings, coupled with severe criticism of his performance, led the 45-year-old to contemplate resignation.
They detail that Ten Hag decided to remain in his role after an extensive meeting during his holiday in Ibiza.
During the summer, Ten Hag agreed to a one-year contract extension with Manchester United following the clear-the-air discussions. This would have extended his stay until 2026.
Ten Hag opened up about his conversations with the club, revealing that they had personally visited him to express their desire for him to continue in his role.
'We engaged in productive discussions, covered various topics, and agreed to continue our partnership, with the intention to renew the contract,' he stated to broadcaster NOS in June.
Unfortunately, the team's performance did not improve this season, prompting the club to swiftly end his time at Old Trafford. It is understood that the decision was a collective and unanimous one by United's leadership, despite being described as 'difficult and finely balanced.'
This is supported by De Telegraaf, who report that Ineos' Sir Jim Ratcliffe found it challenging to let go of Ten Hag, who is well-regarded and known for his integrity and hard work.
Despite securing the Carabao Cup and FA Cup during his time at Old Trafford, Ten Hag ended the previous Premier League season in eighth place with a negative goal difference.
He was given the opportunity to operate within a new structure following the appointment of Omar Berrada as chief executive, along with new sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.
The club
