Ten Hag's Manchester United Exit Linked to Unfulfilled Transfer Targets: De Jong, Kane Among Missed Signings

Before his dismissal, Erik ten Hag was said to be disappointed with Manchester United's inability to secure the signatures of four top players he had targeted. The Dutch coach was let go on Monday, concluding his two-and-a-half-year tenure that had been fraught with the looming possibility of his exit.

Erik ten Hag's tenure at Manchester United was marked by his dissatisfaction with the club's failure to sign key players he had identified. His departure on Monday put an end to a period that had been filled with uncertainty regarding his future at the helm. His position became precarious before the FA Cup final, following a lackluster season that resulted in an eighth-place finish in the Premier League. However, a surprising victory over Manchester City in a 2-1 scoreline bought him some time. Ten Hag's position was only solidified after an end-of-season review by Ineos, which included discussions with potential replacements. It has now been revealed that Ten Hag had expressed his frustration over the club's failure to sign any of his preferred transfer targets. ESPN reports that Ten Hag was particularly frustrated by the club's inability to sign Frenkie de Jong, Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Valverde, and Harry Kane. The club's hierarchy reportedly deemed his requests to be 'unrealistic'. Rumors of a potential move for Barcelona's De Jong had been circulating since Ten Hag's arrival, but the transfer never came to fruition. While United's interest in Harry Kane was well-documented, they signed Rasmus Hojlund instead, with Kane eventually moving to Bayern Munich. Last April, there were suggestions that United were interested in Brighton's Mac Allister, but he ended up joining Liverpool. Valverde has remained at Madrid, likely due to his high salary and the substantial transfer fee required to lure him away from the Bernabeu. Ten Hag was reportedly contemplating resigning in the summer amidst criticism and rumors of the club speaking with other managers. https://img.allfootballapp.com/www/M00/59/94/720x-/-/-/CgAGVmchDCqAeQlXAACPdfnBC2U192.jpg Dutch outlet De Telegraaf reports that the criticism and rumors of meetings with other managers led the 54-year-old to consider stepping down. It was during an extended holiday in Ibiza that Ten Hag decided to stay, following extensive discussions. Ten Hag agreed to a one-year contract extension, which would have kept him at the club until 2026, after the summer talks. He disclosed his conversations with United, revealing that the club had confirmed their desire for him to continue in his role.