Legendary Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel says he can be “very stunned” if Erik ten Hag remains to be in cost subsequent season and believes the membership has been “slowly eroding” since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure from the hotseat in 2013.
On the eve of United’s FA Cup last in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, studies have claimed that beleaguered Ten Hag shall be sacked no matter whether or not his facet wins the trophy in what’s their final probability of qualifying for European soccer subsequent season.
“We’ve been listening to about Erik’s place for a really, very very long time,” mentioned Schmeichel, chatting with BBC Radio 5 Reside.
“Everyone else on the prime of Manchester United has left, and new individuals are coming in. With out saying I would like Erik to lose his job, I’d be very stunned if he’s supervisor subsequent yr.
“I actually hate the truth that Manchester United has grow to be a membership that retains a supervisor for a brief time period after which, when issues aren’t going the correct approach, sack him. You possibly can see after Sir Alex left the soccer membership that it was slowly eroding.”
Targeted on the #FACup last 👊#MUFC pic.twitter.com/Z1m8ksUGPL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 22, 2024
Ten Hag turned United’s fifth everlasting supervisor in lower than 9 years when he arrived from Ajax in Might 2022, in addition to Ralf Rangnick’s interim spell for lower than six months earlier than the Dutchman took over.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe accomplished his deal to purchase a 27.7% stake in United in February, taking up the soccer operations facet of the membership and pledging to vary its tradition.
Ratcliffe’s additions have included Sir David Brailsford in a key efficiency function and chief government Omar Berrada, however United have continued to wrestle on the pitch, by no means rising above sixth and ending eighth throughout Ten Hag’s second season in cost whereas ending backside of their Champions League group.
Ratcliffe desires ‘clear begin’ at United
“The way in which they’ve been going in regards to the first couple of months in cost factors to them wanting a clear begin which is their challenge,” mentioned Schmeichel, who was signed by Ferguson in 1991 and went on to win the Premier League 5 occasions, a hat-trick of FA Cup finals and the 1998/99 Uefa Champions League amongst a haul of trophies.
“[Ten Hag’s] been criticised closely in the previous few weeks, particularly for the best way he’s been speaking. I don’t assume that’s what they’re in search of.”
United are enormous underdogs in opposition to a Metropolis facet who completed 31 factors above them as champions and beat them 2-1 in final season’s FA Cup last, and Schmeichel has additionally been dispirited by the dilapidated state of Previous Trafford, which was highlighted when one of many stands leaked after a 1-0 dwelling defeat to Arsenal earlier this month.
“There’s been no actual management from the very, very prime and it’s simply been let go, actually,” he mentioned of the membership. “The best instance was when that recreation completed and the rain began – simply how Previous Trafford regarded. That tells you every thing.”
