Is Eric Erik Ten Hag the Worst Coach Ever?

After months of tension, Manchester United has finally parted ways with Erik ten Hag. Sunday’s defeat at West Ham marked the breaking point, with United falling to a 14th-place spot in the Premier League. 

The VAR decision in that match, deemed faulty by former ref Mark Halsey, seemed to capture the bad luck theme Ten Hag often cited. But was bad luck really the main reason for United’s struggles under him? Or did the Dutch manager, despite flashes of potential, simply fail to live up to the club’s expectations?

Points and poor form

In assessing Ten Hag’s impact, looking at points per game over his 84 matches paints a tough picture. His teams averaged just 1.7 points per game, equivalent to about 65 points over a 38-game season. 

That’s a sharp drop from the Sir Alex Ferguson days when United teams rarely fell below 75 points, or even José Mourinho’s era, where they consistently scored over 69 points. Compared to his predecessors, Ten Hag’s record was not just lackluster but one of the least impressive in recent memory for the club.

His struggle to collect points consistently was evident early on this season. Even before United faced powerhouse teams like Manchester City or Arsenal, they found themselves 14th on the table, with a negative goal differential after nine games. 

Other managers, such as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, faced similarly shaky starts but managed to rally their teams to top-four finishes. Ten Hag, however, seemed to lack the momentum to pull United out of this rut.

Defensive troubles

One of the most glaring issues under Ten Hag was United’s defense. They allowed more goals per season than any team under the last five United managers, and opponents often looked as if they were scoring with ease. 

United’s defense was porous, allowing opponents nearly 30 touches in the penalty box per game – a record even worse than Solskjaer’s period, which was previously United’s weakest defensive record.

This defensive mess stemmed from a combination of factors. Ten Hag seemed unable to balance his backline’s aggression and organization, leading to United’s unique distinction: they allowed a high number of shots and touches in the box without managing to counter with their own attack. 

Most teams either concede a few shots by being aggressive or allow weaker shots by packing the box. United under Ten Hag managed to do neither.

Struggling attack and tactical inconsistency

United’s attacking play under Ten Hag showed potential but rarely delivered. His teams often looked sluggish in the final third, failing to convert clear opportunities into goals. Despite an expected goals (xG) per game rate close to the best from previous managers, actual goals lagged. 

United’s failure to capitalize on chances placed them as one of the Premier League’s most underperforming teams offensively.

Ten Hag had come to United as an advocate of high pressing and “proactive football.” But this vision never materialized. A simple measure of pressing – passes allowed per defensive action (PPDA) – showed that United ranked 15th in the league under Ten Hag. Instead of high pressing, they seemed to give opposing teams time to execute plays, allowing an unusually high pass-completion rate. 

This low-energy approach to pressing seemed at odds with what Ten Hag had promised, frustrating fans and leading to a lack of identity in United’s gameplay.

Did Ten Hag leave a good team behind?

While it’s easy to point out the flaws, Ten Hag did leave behind some glimmers of hope. Under his leadership, young talents like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho emerged, hinting at a promising future for United’s squad. 

There’s no denying that Ten Hag helped shape a new spine in the team, with players like Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez, and Rasmus Hojlund ready to develop into a dynamic core.

Moreover, Ten Hag managed to clinch two trophies during his time – the 2023 League Cup and the 2024 FA Cup. His FA Cup victory, particularly against Manchester City, was a high point that showcased his potential to lead United to thrilling games, even if they were rare. It’s a sign that, given time, he might have been able to establish something more consistent.

Not the worst coach ever, but far from the best

So, is Erik ten Hag the worst coach ever? The answer is complicated. He faced significant challenges, from boardroom battles to unexpected injuries, and perhaps, as some suggest, a club in structural decline. Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, five full-time coaches have tried – and failed – to bring United back to their glory days, suggesting issues that extend beyond coaching.

Ten Hag’s record was poor but not unprecedented. Managers like David Moyes and Louis van Gaal also faced failures, though Ten Hag’s struggles with basic tactics, defense, and creating a cohesive style make his record particularly disappointing.

And while he wasn’t “the worst,” Ten Hag’s tenure may go down as one of the more forgettable ones, highlighting that even a promising coach can falter under the pressure of managing a club like Manchester United.