Sir Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in history and Manchester United have not claimed much silverware since the legendary Scotsman retired in 2013, which begs the question, why have the Manchester United managers that have followed been so disappointing?
Manchester United Managers: The Curse of the Old Trafford Dugout
Here we take a look at those who have followed Ferguson into the Old Trafford hotseat and how they have failed to repeat his success. Is the dugout at Old Trafford a poisoned chalice, or are the appointments to blame? Read our assessment below!
Manchester United Managers: David Moyes
The unenviable task of being the replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson fell to David Moyes, who had built a fine reputation as manager of Everton. The Scotsman took over in July, 2013, but lasted only until April, 2014.
Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles for Manchester United, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions Leagues, one European Cup Winners’ Cup, ten Community Shields, plus other trophies. Moyes won just a Community Shield and was sacked after only 51 matches in charge.
Manchester United Managers: Louis van Gaal
Ryan Giggs was placed in temporary charge for a couple of months after Moyes departed, before confident Dutchman Louis van Gaal was handed the job on a permanent basis. With experience managing Barcelona, the Netherlands and Bayern Munich, he arrived at Old Trafford with an impressive CV.
Less than two years later, Van Gaal was sacked, with an FA Cup success his only trophy. He lasted only 103 matches. His team showed a lack of attacking quality and finished fifth in the Premier League before he was asked to leave by the United board.
Manchester United Managers: Jose Mourinho
Another big-name manager arrived at Old Trafford in May, 2016, as Jose Mourinho swaggered into Manchester. The confident Portuguese coach, who called himself “The Special One”, had already managed Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, winning the league title in England, Italy and Spain.
Mourinho won the Europa League, the League Cup and a Community Shield – and his winning percentage of 58.33 percent was not far behind Ferguson – but he was sacked just before Christmas in 2018 after a dismal start to that Premier League campaign.
Manchester United Managers: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Three months as a caretaker manager went well enough for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be given the job on a permanent basis in March, 2019. The Norwegian, a legend for the club as a player, went on to manage United in 168 matches – the longest tenure of anyone since Ferguson.
Solskjaer lasted almost three years in charge, but failed to win any trophies. He took the Red Devils to the final of the 2021 Europa League, but they lost on penalties to Villarreal, before the team’s form dipped sharply.
Manchester United Managers: Erik ten Hag
Michael Carrick took over as caretaker manager for a month in the wake of Solskjaer’s departure, then Ralf Rangnick was given the job on an interim basis. The five months under Rangnick were abysmal – United won only 11 of their 29 matches with the German at the helm.
In May, 2022, Erik ten Hag was appointed. The Dutchman, who previously enjoyed success as manager of Ajax, actually had a win percentage which was superior to Moyes, Van Gaal and Solskjaer, but after 128 games he felt the axe. Ten Hag won a League Cup and an FA Cup, but defeat at West Ham left the Red Devils 14th in the Premier League before his sacking.
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