PGMOL chief Howard Webb has determined that the crucial VAR decision leading to Erik ten Hag’s dismissal was incorrect. The former United manager’s fate was sealed following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, where a contentious penalty decision proved to be the final straw in his tenure at Old Trafford.
According to The Times, Webb, who serves as the chief refereeing officer at PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), has concluded that VAR official Michael Oliver was wrong to intervene in the match-defining moment. The incident in question occurred when referee David Coote initially waved play on following a challenge between United’s Matthijs de Ligt and West Ham’s Danny Ings. However, after VAR intervention, Coote reversed his decision, awarding the penalty that would ultimately cost Ten Hag his job.
The Dutch manager’s dismissal came as United languished in 14th place in the Premier League table, marking their worst start to a league campaign since the 1986-87 season. With just 12 points from their opening 10 matches, the club’s hierarchy felt compelled to make a change, though this latest revelation from Webb casts a shadow over the timing and circumstances of their decision.
In the aftermath of Ten Hag’s departure, Manchester United moved swiftly to stabilize the situation, appointing club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy as interim manager. The former striker has already made his mark, guiding the team to an impressive 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup and securing a creditable 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League.
The club has wasted no time in securing their long-term future, announcing Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim as their next permanent manager. The 39-year-old Portuguese tactician is set to take the reins at Old Trafford from November 11, bringing fresh hope to a club desperate to reclaim its position among English football’s elite.
Van Nistelrooy’s caretaker role will continue for two more matches, with crucial fixtures against PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester City in the Premier League before Amorim assumes control. The new manager’s first test will come against Ipswich Town on November 23, marking the beginning of what United supporters hope will be a new era of success.
The timing of Webb’s assessment adds an intriguing layer to what has already been a tumultuous period for Manchester United. The revelation that the decisive penalty decision was incorrect raises questions about the increasing influence of VAR in high-stakes moments and its impact on managerial careers. While it’s impossible to know if Ten Hag’s position would have been more secure had the correct decision been made, the incident highlights the fine margins that often determine success and failure in modern football.
For Ten Hag, whose tenure began with promise but ultimately ended in disappointment, this development might feel like a cruel twist of fate. The Dutchman’s departure marks another chapter in United’s post-Sir Alex Ferguson struggles, with the club now turning to their sixth permanent manager since the legendary Scot’s retirement in 2013.
As Manchester United look forward under new leadership, the controversy surrounding Ten Hag’s final match serves as a reminder of football’s increasing complexity in the VAR era. With Webb’s admission of error, the debate around technology’s role in the sport and its impact on crucial decisions is likely to intensify, particularly when such decisions can have far-reaching consequences for clubs and careers alike.
The club now faces the challenge of rebuilding under Amorim’s guidance, with supporters hoping that this latest managerial change will finally bring the stability and success they crave. However, the circumstances surrounding Ten Hag’s departure will likely remain a talking point, especially given Webb’s recent revelation about the fateful penalty decision that preceded it.
