Despite his FA Cup victory, Erik ten Hag does not deserve to stay as manager at Old Trafford, according to former Manchester United first-team coach Mike Phelan.

The 61-year-old claimed that after a “disappointing” season that culminated in a “surprise” cup final victory, the Dutchman would have already been fired under earlier hierarchies. He suggested that the lack of viable successors may have caused a delay in the decision to fire him.

In the wake of rumours connecting him to United, former United coach colleague Kieran McKenna signed a new contract at Ipswich on Thursday. However, Roberto De Zerbi is available after leaving Brighton and was previously on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s shortlist for an alternate manager.

Chelsea fired Mauricio Pochettino at the end of the season, and he is also available for employment. Prior to Ten Hag’s appointment in the summer of 2022, Pochettino was among the options that United had initially evaluated.

Shortly after Ten Hag joined the squad, Phelan, who had already taken a coaching position at United during the 1999–2000 season in their Centre of Excellence, was relieved of his first-team coaching duties. After managing Norwich and Hull City, he was appointed Sir Alex Ferguson’s deputy in 2008 and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s number two in 2018.

Phelan said that Ratcliffe is seeking consistency in the dugout after decimating and replenishing the United board since his arrival. Still, he thinks Ten Hag ought to be shown the way out.

Phelan told talkSPORT, “In previous regimes, I would have said he would have been gone.” Yes, ownership remains the same, but I believe that the current administration is seeking consistency. I don’t know if that gives Ten Hag the chance to go again, but I think that’s a different attitude.

When asked if Ten Hag had accrued enough credibility to be considered for a second chance, Phelan said, “No, I don’t.” That’s just how I perceive things. Here, we are discussing Manchester United. This is a major choice. A crucial choice.

Ten Hag has been direct and truthful. He clearly has an internal perspective, and he has a set of players with whom he will exchange positions. It’s fantastic that he is sure he will take it to the next level.

“He won the FA Cup out of the blue; I think nobody expected it,” he continued. “He played in a way that he ought to have considered a little bit earlier in the season.” You really have to admit that this season has been incredibly disappointing.

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