Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has faced challenges coinciding with the arrival of Ratcliffe as the club’s new co-owner. Ratcliffe, the chairman of petrochemicals conglomerate INEOS, officially acquired a 27.7% stake in February. Despite Ten Hag claiming to be on the “same page” as Ratcliffe, doubts persist about his long-term future, with Ratcliffe not offering a public endorsement.
Ajax chief executive Alex Kroes had targeted Ten Hag for a return to his former club, but following Kroes’ dismissal in the wake of an insider trading scandal, the Dutch giants are facing further crisis. Sources close to Ten Hag believe he may leave at the end of the season if Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group does not provide assurances about their commitment to him. When questioned about the subject, Ten Hag expressed his focus on his team’s performance and improvement, stating that he is working to bring trophies and creating economic value.
In February, Ten Hag highlighted his close relationship with INEOS, emphasizing their shared ambitions and targets. Ratcliffe, the INEOS chief, has emphasized the club’s aim of finishing in the top four for financial reasons, stating the importance of qualifying for the Champions League. In a BBC Sport interview, Ratcliffe stressed the significance of securing a place in the Champions League for financial fair play, underscoring the need to adapt the organization and environment to produce results over the next two to three seasons.
