Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag during a Premier League match against West Ham United, in London, on Oct. 27.Paul Childs/Reuters
Manchester United finally ran out of patience and fired manager Erik ten Hag on Monday after a troubled start to the season which has left the 20-time English champions languishing in the Premier League amid a period of major upheaval at the club.
Ruben Amorim, the coach of Portuguese team Sporting, was in talks about replacing ten Hag, British media reported.
Ten Hag won two domestic cups in his 2 1/2 years in charge but the Dutchman paid the price for leading United to its worst start to a season, with the team in 14th place and having lost four of its opening nine league games.
Heavy home losses to fierce rival Liverpool and Tottenham left ten Hag under severe pressure and seemingly changed the mood among United fans who previously were prepared to give him more time. A 2-1 loss at West Ham on Sunday proved to be his last game in charge.
United has won just one of its last eight games in all competitions.
“Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” United said, adding that Ruud van Nistelrooy, one of ten Hag’s assistants and a former striker at the club, would be taking over as interim head coach while a permanent head coach is recruited.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.”