Ally McCoist: Man United will sack Ten Hag even if he wins the FA Cup | OneFootball

Former Rangers manager Ally McCoist believes that Manchester United will part ways with Erik ten Hag even if he wins the FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday.

The Dutchman showed signs of progression last season having won the Carabao Cup and finishing third in the Premier League but there has been a considerable drop-off since then.

United were dumped out of the Champions League in the group stage phase, eliminated from the Carabao Cup in the round of 16, and recorded their worst-ever season in the Premier League era- finishing eight.

The FA Cup final on Saturday is the last chance for Ten Hag and United to salvage something from their season. Even if they pull off an unlikely victory over the recently crowned Premier League champions, McCoist feels it will still result in Ten Hag’s dismissal.

Ten Hag could end up facing the same fate as his fellow countryman and former United manager Louis Van Gaal. Despite a fifth-place finish and victory in the FA Cup in 2016, Van Gaal was dismissed from his post at Manchester United just two days after lifting the trophy at Wembley.

Louis Van Gaal was sacked just two days after winning the FA Cup against Crystal Palace in 2016.

“I don’t even think a win in the FA Cup final will be enough for Erik ten Hag,” McCoist said in an interview with talkSPORT BET. “I just think in 99% of cases, new people will want to bring their own men in. I understand people saying that they think INEOS will come in and want to give everyone a clean slate, but I just feel the new owners will want their own manager in.

“I know the buck stops with the manager, but the players really do need to take some responsibility as well for some of the performances throughout the season. I think there will be massive changes at United among the playing staff, and I reckon no matter what happens on Saturday, the manager will be changed too.”

McCoist was also asked about his thoughts on Mauricio Pochettino’s surprise departure from Chelsea and said the Argentine would be a good fit at Old Trafford, should Ten Hag leave.

“I could actually see Mauricio Pochettino going to Manchester United,” he said.

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“It’s a massive job at Old Trafford and he’s been linked with the role for a few years now, so it wouldn’t surprise me to tell you the truth, you could see it happening. He’s shown what he’s able to do with young players at Chelsea and that would benefit a lot of the young talent coming through the ranks who have broken into the first team this season.

“Both United and Chelsea just haven’t got it right in recent years and there needs to be massive changes in the playing squad at Old Trafford as well – I just don’t think a lot of the squad are up to the task. That’s going to take the best part of 18 months to two years to solve – there’s no quick fix.”