Manchester United lost 2-1 to West Ham on Sunday to drop the Red Devils to 3-2-4 on the season and 14th in the English Premier League table. Just four points out of the relegation zone, the Manchester United board decided to make a drastic move and manager Erik ten Hag was sacked just months after signing an extension. Club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy was named interim manager.

“Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024,” the club wrote in a statement. “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 will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

With this move, Van Nistelrooy becomes the ninth manager Manchester United has employed since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

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Ten Hag took over in 2022 after brief spells from United legend Michael Carrick and Ralph Tangnik. The Dutchman left Ajax in his home country to take over one of the most famous clubs in the world. Over 127 games, the manager went 70-23-34 while winning a Carabao Cup and an FA Cup. His 55.12% winning percentage puts Ten Hag ahead of some recent managers like Ole Gunnar Solskjær, David Moyes, and Louis van Gaal. However, it falls below Jose Mourinho and the iconic Ferguson.

Van Nistelrooy played 150 matches for Manchester United from 2001-06. Like Ten Hag, Van Nistelrooy hails from the Netheralnds. The two-time Dutch Footballer of the Year has managed Jong PSV and PSV Eindhoven in his home country. The latter of which was the club the former striker played fro right before moving to United more than two decades ago.