Sir Jim Ratcliffe leaves showdown talks over Ten Hag’s future after 7 HOURS without giving update as he uses rear exit
Ratcliffe was one of a number of high-profile Man Utd chiefs spotted arriving for the meeting
Posted Wednesday, October 09, 2024 by Thesun.co.uk
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE gave no update on Erik ten Hag's future following SEVEN HOURS of talks with Manchester United bosses in London on Tuesday.
The Red Devils' co-owner met with several key club chiefs in the capital following a dismal start to the season.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford following the board meeting at Ineos HQ
He was seen arriving for the meeting at around 9:30am, while Sir Dave Brailsford and sporting director Dan Ashworth were also spotted heading into the building.
Man Utd have their worst ever return from the opening seven Premier League games, picking up just eight points and languishing in 14th place.
Without a win in five matches in all competitions, Ten Hag heads into the international break with his future uncertain.
However, Ratcliffe offered no insight into the manager's position after the meeting.
The Ineos chief, 71, left the venue via a rear exit at 4:45pm.
He then whizzed off in a car with blacked out windows, refusing to stop and answer questions.
This leaves fans no closer to learning whether Ten Hag will still be in charge come their next game against Brentford at Old Trafford on October 19.
If he is dismissed, he is set for a huge pay-off having penned a one-year extension in the summer.
He will be entitled to a £17.5million pay-off, one of the biggest in Man Utd's history.
Ten Hag's assistant and club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is favourite to become the next Man Utd boss on an interim basis.
Former England boss Gareth Southgate, ex-Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and former Liverpool target Ruben Amorim are among the other contenders.
Man Utd considered replacing Ten Hag in the summer after the club finished eighth - their lowest-ever position in Premier League history.
But a shock 2-1 FA Cup final win over rivals Manchester City, adding to his 2023 Carabao Cup, temporarily saved Ten Hag from the axe.
Club officials held talks with Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Frank over replacing the 54-year-old while he travelled to the FA Cup final.
Club chiefs also looked for alternatives during an end-of-season review in the summer, with Tuchel allegedly interviewed.
But ultimately, United performed a dramatic U-turn in June as Brailsford flew to Ibiza to hold a four-hour meeting at Ten Hag's home.
Now, though, after a nightmare start to the season, the Dutchman's time could finally be up.
And Tuchel has again been mooted as his replacement as the out of work coach seeks a route back into football.
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