Ratcliffe Admits Delaying Ten Hag’s Dismissal Was a Costly Mistake

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has expressed regret over the club’s decision to retain Erik Ten Hag beyond last season, admitting that uncertainty within United’s leadership led to a costly delay in sacking the Dutchman.

Ten Hag, who guided the Red Devils to an FA Cup triumph, was given a chance to continue despite inconsistent performances. However, Ratcliffe has now revealed that hesitation in making the managerial change was a mistake, one that has had lasting consequences for the club.

In an interview with former United defender Gary Neville on The Overlap, Ratcliffe disclosed that he and his INEOS team were uncertain about whether Ten Hag was the core issue or if the club’s deeper structural problems were to blame for the underwhelming performances. This uncertainty, he admitted, caused a delay in making a decision that, in hindsight, should have been more decisive.

“It was too early for us to make a big decision in reality. We hadn’t been together as a team for very long. It was just a matter of weeks, and it’s quite a big decision, isn’t it?” Ratcliffe stated.

Despite eventually parting ways with Ten Hag, Manchester United’s struggles have continued under new manager Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese tactician has faced a challenging start, struggling to implement his 3-4-3 system effectively. United’s performances have remained inconsistent, and the team currently finds itself languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.

The optimism surrounding Amorim’s arrival has gradually faded as results fail to improve, leaving fans frustrated and raising questions about the club’s long-term strategy. With Ratcliffe now publicly acknowledging past errors in decision-making, Manchester United faces mounting pressure to stabilize and rebuild for the future.