Erik ten Hag successfully made a compelling argument to avoid being fired as Manchester United surprised Manchester City to claim the FA Cup with an unexpected 2-1 win in the final on Saturday.
Despite a challenging season that even the United manager himself labeled as “terrible,” Ten Hag was reportedly on the verge of being sacked regardless of the outcome at Wembley.
However, United’s leadership may reconsider their decision after witnessing Ten Hag’s tactical brilliance thwart City’s quest for a historic double.
City, the clear favorites to secure a second consecutive Premier League and FA Cup double, were outmaneuvered by Ten Hag’s strategy, leading to first-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo that set United on the path to FA Cup victory after an eight-year drought.
Although Jeremy Doku managed to score a late goal in the 87th minute, it was not enough to rescue City from defeat.
Concluding a tumultuous season on a positive note, if Ten Hag’s tenure does come to an end, it would draw parallels to Louis van Gaal’s departure from Old Trafford following the 2016 FA Cup final victory.
Ten Hag may aspire for a comparison more akin to Alex Ferguson’s turnaround in 1990, when a successful FA Cup final against Palace marked the beginning of a remarkable era after facing calls for his dismissal earlier in the season.
Ferguson’s presence at the match, initially dubbed as Ten Hag’s “funeral,” transformed into a celebration of the much-criticized Dutchman’s triumph.
Jim Ratcliffe, a major shareholder of United and in charge of football operations at Old Trafford, observed the match from the stands alongside co-owners Joel and Avie Glazer.
Despite being linked with several other managers such as Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, and Gareth Southgate, Ratcliffe still has much to consider. United’s disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League, their lowest since 1990, and their early exit from the Champions League provide ample food for thought.
However, Erik ten Hag, the current manager, believes that the team’s extensive injury list was the main cause of their struggles. He can point to his success in winning two trophies in three cup final appearances with United as evidence of his capabilities when his squad is fully fit.
Last year, Ten Hag ended United’s six-year trophy drought by securing the League Cup, and this season, he managed to avenge their previous loss to City in the FA Cup final, despite finishing 31 points behind the champions.
