In the spring of 2013, Manchester United fans received the news that they were dreading yet knew was inevitable one day. The club’s legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, announced he would retire at the season's end. “Fergie,” as he was known affectionately, would deliver one last Premier League title at the end of the season, turning the page on an illustrious period of English sports history.
The claim now is that Ferguson built modern soccer in Manchester and beyond. When the great manager started at the club in the 1980s, soccer players still drank heavily, coaches sometimes smoked on the sidelines, and nobody had heard of concepts like the internet. When he left, each club had dieticians, psychologists, throw-in coaches, and shirts adorned by the sponsorship of a tech company or an online casino brand. It was a different world, but most believed that the House that Fergie Built would stand tall forever. It didn’t. But what went wrong? And what has happened to Manchester United in the post-Fergie era?
2013-2014: The Chosen One Fails
Ferguson had some influence in choosing his successor (rare in the Premier League), and he anointed fellow Scotsman David Moyes. Moyes had a good reputation, working with Everton and Preston North End. He was a man who could work minor miracles with small budgets. Fans were split on his appointment, but most agreed that Moyes deserved a shot at the big time. He was given a 6-year contract (another rarity), but Moyes would not even last the entire season.
A sluggish start to the season became a feature rather than an anomaly. Moyes failed to get the most out of the established players, including top stars like Wayne Rooney. And his principal signing, Marouane Fellaini, was deemed an expensive flop. The results in the Premier were average at best, although United did okay in the Champions League (exiting against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals). Moyes was sacked in April 2014. At the time, United were in 7th place in the Premier League. Ryan Giggs took over for a handful of games in the caretaker role to see out the remainder of the season.
2014-2016: The Dutch Maestro Arrives
An experienced and successful manager, Louis Van Gaal, arrived in May 2014. The Dutchman had stints at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and the Netherlands national team. He was considered to have the personality that Moyes lacked in managing a mega-club. Things showed some signs of improvement in Van Gaal’s first season. The team eventually finished 4th in the Premier League, enough to qualify for the Champions League the following season. This was – and still is – seen as the minimum requirement for a Manchester United manager.
Van Gaal’s second season was much more difficult. The team was characterized by dullness despite having lots of possession. The pressure seemed to be getting to Van Gaal, too. The team eventually finished 5th in the Premier League (no Champions League spot), but they did manage to win the FA Cup—the first trophy in the post-Fergie era. However, this was not good enough, and Van Gaal was sacked after the FA Cup Final.
2016-2018 The Special One
Jose Mourinho needs a little introduction. A legend at Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Porto, there was always a good relationship between Mourinho and the United fans, and there was a sense that “The Special One” relished the opportunity of turning the fortunes of the biggest club in England. Things got off to a fair start, with United showing more flair and steel on the pitch. Mourinho delivered two trophies in his first season, the EFL Cup and Europe’s secondary competition, the Europa League. They weren’t the trophies that United fans crave, but there was enough to suggest that better was to come.
Mourinho’s second season was good, too. The team played much better in the Premier League, eventually finishing 2nd. While it rarely looked like the Red Devils would win the title, the runner-up spot felt like something that could be built on. A true challenge in the 2018/19 season? No. The wheels came off Mourinho’s United the next season, and the legendary Portuguese coach lasted until December. A thrashing at the hands of bitter rivals Liverpool was the final nail in the coffin. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would take over as interim manager until a permanent coach could be appointed.
2019-2022 Ole’s at the Wheel
By late 2019, it was assumed that United had tried different types of managers – the Ferguson prototype (Moyes), the experienced tactician (Van Gaal), and the siege mentality motivator (Mourinho). As Solskjaer racked up good results over Christmas and the New Year, fans started to ask for a new type – the legendary former player. “Ole” had starred for United under Ferguson (securing the famous Treble in 1999 with that iconic injury-time winner), but his coaching career was modest. He did seem to revitalize the team, though.
Solskjaer lasted three seasons at United, finishing 6th, 3rd, and 2nd in the Premier League. It was a strange time for United fans, as the results never seemed to match the performances, and few were ever convinced of Solskjaer’s tactical acumen. Yet, there was a sense that the club was broken at every level, not only on the pitch. Transfer policy was wayward, and mediocre players sat on huge contracts. There was no appetite to sack Solskjaer simply because we had reached a point where it wasn’t abundantly clear a new coach could fix the mess. Still, in his final season, Solskjaer delivered a horrible run of results. Like his predecessor, he was sacked before Christmas. Ralf Rangnick took over as interim boss until the end of the season.
2022-Present ETH and INEOS
Erik Ten Hag was the man to get the nod from the Old Trafford hierarch. The Dutch manager had been brilliant at Ajax, and there was hope he could instill a new philosophy at United and bring a new identity to the team. Again, things started well, and Ten Hag got United to play decent football. Perhaps more importantly, many of the underperforming players were shipped out and replaced by Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez. Ten Hag guided United to 3rd in his first season, winning the EFL Cup.
Ten Hag struggled in his second season. The team conceded far too many goals, eventually finishing 8th. Injuries played a huge role in the team’s fortunes, but the buck stopped with Ten Hag, and 8th was not good enough. Fans were clamoring for him to go, but the Dutchman had a final trick up his sleeve – winning the FA Cup Final against Manchester City. This forced a U-turn from INEOS Group, which had taken over the soccer hierarchy at Manchester United after investing in the club. INEOS has decided to stick with Ten Hag, extending his contract until 2026. Can he deliver the success that has eluded the club since Fergie left?
Wrap-Up: A New Era Finally Begins
Most of this post-Fergie post-mortem has focused on changing managers, but the most significant change might be at the very top. INEOS, led by Jim Radcliffe, has recognized that a manager can only do so much. They have changed personnel at every club level, including the CEO. The consensus is that Ten Hag will be given the transfer ammunition and the technical support that other managers have lacked. It might take time to rebuild Manchester United and put the great club at the summit again, but fans have found a new belief that the structures are being put in place to deliver that.
___
Sports Team History is your ultimate destination to explore the rich heritage and iconic logos of professional sports teams across MLB, MLS, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Premier League, WNBA, UFL, XFL, ABA, AAF, and USFL. Immerse yourself in the captivating tales and memorable moments that have shaped each team's legacy.
But that's not all! At Sports Team History, we believe in celebrating the exceptional talents that have graced the sports world. That's why we're thrilled to announce our upcoming "Greatest Player Poll" where fans like you can cast your votes and have your say in determining the greatest players of all time in various sports.
Our partner site, Sports Logo History, offers a vibrant community of logo enthusiasts who appreciate the evolution of team visual identities. Dive into detailed analysis and discussions surrounding logos representing the teams we love. Stay updated with Sports News History, providing 24/7 sports news coverage to keep you informed and engaged with the latest developments. Lastly, explore the premier sports team marketplace at Sports Store History, where you'll find a wide selection of jerseys, caps, and collectibles to showcase your team spirit. Embark on a journey through time, celebrate team logos, stay informed with the latest news, and discover unique sports memorabilia to enhance your collection. Let Sports Team History fuel your passion for sports.