Crystal Palace delivered a humbling defeat to Manchester United at Selhurst Park on Monday evening.
As Crystal Palace netted their fourth goal against Manchester United at Selhurst Park on Monday night, Erik ten Hag found himself in disbelief. Clad in all-black attire, perhaps fittingly, the United manager witnessed strikes from Michael Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Tyrick Mitchell sail past Andre Onana, sealing the Red Devils’ 13th Premier League defeat of the season.
This resounding 4-0 loss at Selhurst Park served as a harsh reality check for Ten Hag, who once exuded confidence in breaking Liverpool and Manchester City’s dominance upon his arrival as Manchester United’s manager less than two years ago. It marked him as the first Old Trafford boss to suffer 13 defeats in a single Premier League season.
“I admire them both,” said Ten Hag back in May 2022. “They play fantastic football. But eras come to an end.”
Certainly, Ten Hag’s observations hold merit. Jurgen Klopp, after an illustrious nine-year tenure at Anfield, has only two matches left as Liverpool’s manager.
The forthcoming transition sees Feyenoord’s Arne Slot stepping in, accompanied by the departure of longstanding staff members Pep Lijnders, Peter Krawietz, John Achterberg, Vitor Matos, and Andreas Schlumberger.
As Richard Hughes prepares to assume his role as sporting director on June 1, guided by Fenway Sports Group’s newly appointed ‘CEO of football,’ Michael Edwards, it marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in Liverpool’s contemporary narrative.
Despite Liverpool’s current third-place standing in the Premier League and their secure berth in the upcoming Champions League, alongside their recent Carabao Cup triumph, it’s evident that this isn’t the conclusion Ten Hag envisioned for Klopp’s reign.
United’s pivotal role in disrupting Klopp’s farewell narrative is unmistakable. Their FA Cup ousting of Liverpool in March, followed by a frustrating draw at Old Trafford, where Liverpool surrendered their top spot, stands as testament to this.
In a period where Anfield braced for uncertainty amidst FSG’s impending summer restructuring post-Klopp, United’s inability to assist Ten Hag in realising his assertive promises from his Old Trafford debut seems significant.
Supporters aligned with Manchester United’s interests will assert that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a controlling share in the club last December has sparked a wave of transformation at Old Trafford, a point well taken.
Since obtaining 25% ownership, the INEOS leader has instigated comprehensive changes throughout the organization, aiming to revive the nostalgic euphoria of yesteryears.
However, Ratcliffe’s strategy of exercising patience with the club ensures that United heads into the offseason with considerable uncertainty regarding the outlook for the upcoming season.
This uncertainty stems from the deliberate approach taken after securing a shrewd deal to lure Omar Berrada from Manchester City and appoint him as the new CEO in January. United is steadfast in refusing to succumb to financial ridicule by Newcastle United in the potential hiring of Dan Ashworth as sporting director.
As a result, if an agreement on financial terms cannot be reached between the two clubs in the ensuing weeks and months, the 53-year-old may not commence his duties at Old Trafford until the early months of 2026, marking a two-year gap since Ratcliffe’s arrival.
This scenario prompts speculation about the extent of financial resources Manchester United will expend on inflated transfer fees during this interim period, given their engagement in negotiations without a designated executive figure. It is reasonable to presume that such expenditures could far surpass the £20 million price tag demanded by Newcastle for the transfer chief.
Ashworth isn’t alone in his uncertainty about his future at Old Trafford next season. Despite United’s underperformance in the Premier League, Ten Hag’s position as manager remains undecided. Talks of Zinedine Zidane and Thomas Tuchel taking over have emerged, prompting Ratcliffe and Co to consider joining the managerial shuffle.
Meanwhile, FSG have been meticulously planning for Klopp’s departure since November, with Edwards’ expanded role solidified in March. Together with Liverpool’s director of research, Will Spearman, Edwards swiftly identified Slot as the ideal successor. Despite initial negotiations with Feyenoord falling short, Liverpool’s persistence led to an improved offer of £9.4m to secure Slot without drawn-out negotiations.
As we near the second anniversary of Ten Hag’s arrival in English football, Arne Slot stands as the Dutchman best poised to usher in a new era in the Premier League.
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