Dutch football coach Erik ten Hag has been sacked by Manchester United after a “dismal” start to the current season. Man U are currently in 14th place in the Premier League following Sunday’s defeat by West Ham.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined the club as assistant coach in July 2024, has been confirmed as interim chief.

Manchester United confirmed the news in a statement following British media press reports.  “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” the statement said. “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.”

In July, Ten Hag extended his contract with the Red Devils to 2026. He joined the club in the summer 2022 and has since won two trophies at Old Trafford — the Carabao Cup during his debut season and the FA Cup this summer.

Ten Hag was head coach of Ajax, from 2017 to 2022, winning three league titles and the KNVB Cup twice during his tenure.

Since his departure, Ajax has struggled and gone through several coaches, while much of the management team has also been replaced. The Amsterdammers just scraped in to qualify for the Europa League competition this year and are currently third in a tightly packed top end of the Eredivisie.