- Erik ten Hag extended his contract with Manchester United by 12 months on Thursday
- The United manager has been told he will continue to have the final say on transfers.
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Erik ten Hag will retain his title as Manchester United manager and the right to veto new signings after extending his contract at Old Trafford until June 2026.
It was thought co-owners Ineos might redefine Ten Hag’s role as a head coach with less control over recruitment as part of the deal to keep him in charge for another two years.
But the terms of Ten Hag’s £9m-a-year contract will remain the same after he signed a 12-month extension on Thursday.
The timing is significant as the first of United’s non-captive players will return for pre-season training at Carrington on Monday.
United remain in talks with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake to become Ten Hag’s new assistants, with both Dutchmen expected to be in place early this week.
Manager Erik ten Hag extended his contract with Manchester United by 12 months on Thursday
Ten Hag, who led United to FA Cup glory in May, will continue to have the final say on transfers.
Ten Hag was pictured being hugged by United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the FA Cup final in May
Current No2 Mitchell van Gaag is likely to leave United, while fellow assistant Steve McClaren remains in talks over his role.
Ten Hag admitted United have to step up after overseeing the club’s worst ever Premier League finish last season and finishing bottom of the Champions League group. Victory in the FA Cup final salvaged a difficult campaign and helped the 54-year-old keep his job.
“I am very pleased to have reached an agreement with the club to continue working together,” he said.
‘Looking back over the past two years, we can reflect with pride on two trophies and many examples of progression from where we were when I joined.
‘However, we must also be clear that there is still a lot of work ahead to reach the level expected of Manchester United, which means fighting for English and European titles.
“In my discussions with the club, we have found complete unity in our vision to achieve those goals, and we are all firmly committed to embarking on that journey together.”
Ten Hag’s signings include Christian Eriksen (left), Casemiro (centre) and Antony (right)
United recently appointed Dan Ashworth as sporting director and he will work with Ten Hag
Jason Wilcox (centre) has been working as United’s technical director since April this year.
The new contract signals increased support for Ten Hag from a leadership team that includes new sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.
Ashworth, who started the job this week after United agreed a compensation deal with his former club Newcastle, said: “With two trophies in the last two seasons, Erik has reinforced his record as one of the most successful managers in European football.
‘While last season’s club review highlighted areas for improvement, it also came to the clear conclusion that Erik was the best partner we could work with to improve standards and results.
“This group of players and staff have already proven they are capable of competing and winning at the highest level; now we need to do so on a more consistent basis. With our strengthened football management team, we look forward to working closely with Erik to achieve our shared ambitions for this football club.”
