Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has urged the club to show patience with Michael Carrick, insisting dismissing the current head coach would not solve their problems.
Carrick is under pressure as Man United continue to search for consistency, but Ten Hag believes the club must resist making emotional decisions and give the former Middlesbrough boss time to implement his ideas.
Managerial carousel not the solution
“It is not the solution to dismiss him. 100 per cent not,” Ten Hag told The Athletic in an interview published by Sky Sports.
“Fans will demand this if results don’t improve – it is coming out from the stomach, from the emotion. You have to make rational decisions.”
Ten Hag, who was dismissed by United in October 2024, praised Carrick’s coaching ability and the staff around him, arguing that the club’s leadership must establish the right structures and strategy before expecting sustained progress.
READ MORE: Man Utd: Lisandro Martínez apologises following controversial public criticism of Jason Wilcox
Carrick has the ability
“He showed good coaching abilities at Middlesbrough and last season. So let him do his process. I think he has a good staff,” he added.
The Dutchman also stressed that successful clubs need a clearly defined identity, effective working methods and quality personnel, alongside sufficient time to build a competitive team.
His comments come from a wide-ranging interview reflecting on his own difficult spell at Old Trafford, during which he won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup before his departure.
Leadership needs to step up
Ten Hag believes Man United’s leadership must take responsibility for creating the conditions in which a manager can succeed, rather than repeatedly changing personnel in response to poor results.
“The leadership, you need their competence, you need the right strategy,” he said.
“What is your identity? What are the work methods? You need the right structures and quality people. Then you need time.”
Still connected regardless of sacking
Now working as technical director at FC Twente, Ten Hag said he still feels connected to Man United and wants to see the club return to competing for major honours.
“I really want United to win. I want them to be successful again. I want the club to be back where it once was,” he added.
READ NEXT: Premier League: Leeds Utd 1-1 Man Utd – Carrick’s side still searching for second league win
