The inevitable has happened: Erik ten Hag has officially been sacked as Manchester United managerafter 128 gamesat the helm.
After a run of poor results and their worst start to a league campaign ever – a record he’d already broken the previous season – the Dutch head coach has been relieved of his duties after just two and a half years in charge.
The decision comes after the Red Devils’ 2-1 loss against West Ham on Sunday evening, in which a controversial penalty awarded after VAR saw them narrowly miss out on a point – a moment that meant just one win in eight games and now looks to have been the bell toll for ten Hag.
While the official position from the club states that the 54-year-old has vacated the role, for all intents and purposes, this is clearly a sacking.
Confirming the news on the club website, Man United wrote: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.
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“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.
“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.
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“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”
He leaves the club with them sitting 14th in the Premier League after picking up just 40 points from 27 league games in 2024 thus far, not to mention having won just one of his last 11 European matches and having spent £475 million on player signings. All told he won 72, drew 20 and lost 36.
On the other hand, he won two trophies in two years after lifting both the EFL and FA Cup, which proved to be a crucial lifeline until now. Nevertheless, they’ve just never been quite the same since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson and suffered some severe losses to the likes of Liverpool, Man City, Spurs and more.
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31.8% – Only David Moyes (32.4%, 11/34) lost a higher percentage of his Premier League games as Manchester United manager than Erik ten Hag (31.8%, 27/85). Departure. pic.twitter.com/cFavWHNNhZ
Other candidates that were reportedly interviewed in the summer before ten Hag was eventually given an albeit ill-advised new contract included Brentford’s Thomas Frank and former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi. Gareth Southgate has also been linked with the job in the past.
With club legend and fellow Dutchman international van Nistelrooy set to take over in the interim, Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS Group will now start their search for a replacement once again.
So, where do United stand now and who would you try and go for as ten Hag’s successor, Reds? You can watch his final words in charge down below.
Featured Images — Manchester United/Sky Sports(via Screenshot)
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Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
28th October 2024 
