At 11 a.m., the 54-year-old Dutchman received his marching orders.Before being flown home from Manchester to Amsterdam in a Cessna light aircraft, he was spotted grinning around 2:15 p.m.

Ten Hag was spotted crouched in the back of a black Mercedes S Class driven by a chauffeur less than two hours after the announcement, at 1:30 pm.

Before his private flight departed for Amsterdam at 2:15 p.m., the 54-year-old Dutchman was driven from his Cheshire home to Manchester Airport, where he was photographed wearing the gilet and carrying a bag.

After a difficult two and a half-year tenure, he is expected to get a £15 million payout. He is the seventh manager to be fired since Sir Alex Ferguson resigned in 2013 after 27 years in charge.Only 166 days ago, United executives extended Ten Hag’s £6.5 million-per-year contract until June 2026.

His assistant, 48-year-old fellow Dutchman and former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, has been appointed interim manager.

“The dressing room has been like a morgue lately — and it is no wonder Ten Hag has gone,” a club insider stated.

When he granted him the extension in the summer, the owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has admitted to acting emotionally rather than rationally. He is now acting irrationally.With 11 points from nine games, United is presently ranked 14th in the Premier League. “I would never celebrate United firing a manager, but this season has been a nightmare and finishing eighth last year is not good enough,” stated Andy Mitten of the fanzine United We Stand.

“It’s a very costly move after what happened in the summer, and the club doesn’t need that right now, especially after we’ve paid managers a lot of money in the past.”Ten Hag received the extension from club owner Ineos following the team’s unexpected victory over rival Manchester City in the FA Cup Final in May.

“This is long overdue and no one could be that shocked the hierarchy have finally acted,” a different United source added in reference to the dismissal.

However, the manner it has been carried out is disorganized and demonstrates how disorganized the club is from top to bottom.

After the FA Cup victory, the club’s decision to extend Ten Hag’s contract was the worst thing they could have done. Even though it was a tremendous accomplishment, it was so clear that it overshadowed a terrible season. And the owners may have lost more than £10 million as a result.

Even while there might be some wiggle area, Erik won’t accept anything less than a substantial payout.

“It has also happened before in recent years, with previous managers like Jose Mourinho receiving hefty rewards.

“It’s a sign of the turmoil that has engulfed the team since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.”

“Erik ten Hag has resigned from his position as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” United announced in the announcement of the dismissal.

After being hired in April 2022, Erik guided the team to two domestic championships: the FA Cup in 2024 and the Carabao Cup in 2023.

“We wish Erik the best of luck in the future and appreciate everything he has done while he has been with us. While a permanent head coach is being sought, Ruud van Nistelrooy will serve as the team’s interim coach with assistance from the present coaching staff.