By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Manchester United have sacked Erik ten Hag with immediate effect, less than a day after the team’s damaging defeat by West Ham United.
A statement from the club said: “We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former Dutch striker who was assistant manager, will take charge of the team as interim head coach while a permanent head coach is recruited.
United finished eighth in the table last season and are languishing in 14th after defeat at the London Stadium on Sunday.
United are also 21st of 36 teams in the Europa League table, having drawn their three opening fixtures.
Ten Hag was kept on in the summer after leading United to a surprise 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The decision followed an extensive end-of-season review during which club bosses, including new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, held talks with a number of different candidates.
But despite conversations with potential replacements, Ratcliffe and his INEOS team decided to keep Ten Hag in his job and extend his contract until June 2026.
United had been working through contingency plans in recent weeks to prime for Ten Tag’s sacking if results and performances did not improve.