Man Utd: Ratcliffe ‘fuming’ at ‘angry’ Ten Hag as the Red Devils boss lands himself in ‘hot water’
### Man Utd Drama: Ratcliffe ‘Fuming’ at Ten Hag Over Ibiza Summit Revelations
Manchester United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and other high-ranking officials are reportedly furious with Erik ten Hag after he disclosed details of their secret meeting in Ibiza. This revelation has caused a stir within the Old Trafford hierarchy and landed the Red Devils boss in hot water.
### A Season of Disappointment
The Manchester United board faced a tough decision regarding Ten Hag’s future after a lackluster season. The Red Devils finished a disappointing eighth in the Premier League and crashed out of the Champions League before Christmas, finishing at the bottom of their group. Despite these setbacks, an unexpected 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final played a crucial role in Ten Hag retaining his position.
### Ibiza Summit Controversy
Following the season’s end, widespread reports suggested that United had considered replacing Ten Hag, with several managers allegedly approached. Rumors even indicated that Ten Hag would be sacked regardless of the FA Cup final outcome. However, the unexpected FA Cup triumph and the lack of available top-class replacements led to the decision to keep Ten Hag at the helm.
A pivotal summit in Ibiza cemented this decision, where club officials informed Ten Hag of their plans. However, The Sun reports that Ratcliffe and his team are “fuming” after Ten Hag revealed more about this confidential meeting than they were comfortable with in an interview with Dutch TV.
### Ten Hag’s Side of the Story
Ten Hag, understandably angry, felt disrespected by how the news was delivered while he was on a relaxing holiday. Club officials reportedly showed up unannounced at his holiday location to inform him that they had spoken to other candidates but ultimately decided to keep him. This confrontation left Ten Hag feeling mistreated and frustrated, leading to his candid disclosure on Dutch television.
### Ratcliffe’s Response
Ratcliffe and his INEOS team expected the Ibiza summit to remain private and are now unhappy with the public disclosure. Speaking to Bloomberg, Ratcliffe emphasized the broader issues at Manchester United, stating, “The coach isn’t the central issue at Manchester United. It’s a sports club. It needs to be competitive, it needs a degree of intensity, but with a supportive side to it because you are dealing with players who are relatively young. It hasn’t had that type of environment historically.”
### Looking Ahead: Summer Transfer Plans
Ratcliffe acknowledged the challenges ahead, highlighting the need for strategic signings over multiple transfer windows to rebuild the squad. “It will take two or three summer windows to get to a better place. I’m not confident that we’ll solve all the problems in the first transfer window. Manchester United doesn’t have any players that are valued at €100 million or more,” he added.
### Conclusion
The tension between Erik ten Hag and the Manchester United hierarchy highlights the challenges facing the club as they strive to return to glory. With the summer transfer window approaching, the focus will be on strengthening the squad and creating a competitive environment. Ten Hag’s future may be secure for now, but the pressure is on to deliver results and restore United’s status as a top-tier club.
