Home Football CELEBRATING: Erik ten Hag sips on red wine on holiday with his wife – and a subtle hint on his cap – as Man United opt to keep the FA Cup-winning manager

CELEBRATING: Erik ten Hag sips on red wine on holiday with his wife – and a subtle hint on his cap – as Man United opt to keep the FA Cup-winning manager

Football — 06/12/2024

Erik ten Hag appeared relaxed when he was photographed for the first time since Manchester United’s FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City, eating dinner with his wife Bianca while on holiday in Ibiza.

Erik ten Hag (right) cut a relaxed figure while on holiday with his wife, Bianca (left), in Ibiza

The future of Manchester United’s manager was determined on Tuesday evening, hours after the 54-year-old Dutch coach seemed to stretch back in his chair while drinking a glass of wine.

He was also sporting a cap with the ‘BOSS’ emblem on the side. Perhaps a subtle message that he felt certain of staying at Old Trafford? Who knows.

The Manchester United boss' future was confirmed on Tuesday evening after thorough review

United have had a rough season, falling to eighth in the Premier League rankings and being knocked out of Europe, but Ten Hag has still managed to lead his team to silverware this season, winning the FA Cup.

Despite this, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Manchester United’s senior team took their time determining whether to maintain the manager after the season.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS were set to make a decision over Ten Hag's (right) future at the club this week

The Red Devils’ management had been conducting a season evaluation and were apparently looking for a potential successor for their present coach.

Thomas Tuchel emerged as one of the contenders to succeed the manager, and he reportedly spoke with Ratcliffe in Monaco last week.

United had endured a torrid season, but the Dutchman guided the Red Devils to FA Cup glory, beating Man City in the final at Wembley in May

However, the German dropped out of consideration after revealing that he intended to take a break from football after a difficult season with Bayern Munich.

According to The Telegraph, Ten Hag was growing irritated with how long United’s end-of-season evaluation had lasted.

Reports claim that the 54-year-old had been growing frustrated over how long it has taken club executives to decide whether he will stay or go

United are scheduled to return to pre-season training in the first two weeks of July before embarking on a tour of the United States, where they will face Arsenal in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 27 in Los Angeles.

According to the newspaper, the Dutchman is concerned that the club may lag behind in the summer transfer market.

Ten Hag will be keen to strengthen in several areas, particularly defense, after he was bereft of so many injuries to key centre backs in the past year

This summer, United will need to strengthen numerous positions, including a new holding midfielder, another attacker, and a center defender.

Casemiro has struggled this season, and the club may prioritize signing a new defensive midfielder.

United have also been hindered by a spate of crucial defender injuries this season, and they may wish to strengthen their centre-back options, especially now that Raphael Varane has left.