Erik ten Hag is effectively on trial at Manchester United while the club’s new technical director Jason Wilcox reportedly conducts an audit of the manager.
The Dutchman’s poor second season in charge has seen the Old Trafford club suffer their worst Champions League campaign ever and they're on course to miss out on the Premier League’s top four. A typically lacklustre performance was on show again on Sunday in their FA Cup semi-final against Championship side Coventry City.
Ten Hag’s men let a 3-0 lead slip and were saved by a controversial offside decision, before going on to reach the final only through penalties. And their collapse raised fresh doubts over the manager’s suitability for the high-pressure role.
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SkyWilcox was officially appointed last week. According to The Telegraph, the former Southampton man will use the last month of the season to assess Ten Hag’s credentials.
That involves looking at his strengths and weaknesses, ranging from his relationship with squad members to how he runs his training sessions.
The 53-year-old will assess whether the ex-Ajax boss has the capacity to deliver on the style of play United’s new ownership and hierarchy want going forward.
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Wilcox and Dan Ashworth are looking to implement a so-called “game model” and Wilcox must assess whether Ten Hag can work within that framework or whether change is needed.
He will also hold talks with the manager, staff and players during his analysis of training sessions. Wilcox likewise wants to establish if Ten Hag’s deteriorating relationship with his players is to blame for United’s inability to progress this term.
Ten Hag has punished several big names this season, including Jadon Sancho, who he banished from the first team after a public show of dissent from the winger.
Marcus Rashford has likewise landed himself in hot water for off the field incidents, while teenager Alejandro Garnacho recently received a warning for liking tweets criticising the Dutchman.
United chiefs will look to make a decision on his future by the end of the season. Potentially his final Premier League game in charge will come away at Brighton on May 19, with the FA Cup final against rivals Manchester City taking place six days later at Wembley.
While there are no clear candidates to take over the reins, England manager Gareth Southgate has been tipped as the favourite. Thomas Tuchel will be available at the end of the season, while Graham Potter remains without a club.
