Tom Rofekamp
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Erik ten Hag has said in a major interview with the General Daily Newspaper looked back on last season at Manchester United. The Haaksberger led his team to the worst final ranking ever in the Premier League, but won the FA Cup at the last minute. The latter saved his job, and that was certainly noticeable for Ten Hag. “When communication decreases at some point…”
At the end of May, before the FA Cup final, it seemed as clear as day that Ten Hag would have to leave United regardless of the result. The Red Devils have performed inconsistently all season and finished eighth – their worst ever Premier League finish.
Yet Ten Hag was not concerned with his position around the final. “That left me completely cold, I just wanted to win. If the United management thinks someone is better tomorrow, then I will go. Those are the mechanisms in football that you have to respect,” said the 54-year-old Tukker.
Ten Hag does believe that things weren't made easy for him last season. “There were a number of crucial things that I had no influence on, such as the huge number of injuries. I know that the arrows were also aimed at me in that respect, but that's not how it works. And it had nothing to do with the intensity of my training, because you train here every three days. That already started in my first season.”
Despite this, Ten Hag was put in the hot seat. Renowned media such as the Guardian had already written him off, but after the FA Cup final – which was won 2-1 against Manchester City – the situation changed completely.
A visit by club owners Dave Brailsford and Jim Ratcliffe to Ten Hag's holiday address provided clarity. “They didn't say 'we still want to continue', but: we want to continue. Then I did say: 'Then we have to discuss a number of things about how we deal with each other and work together.' Because: “It was clear: there was less and less communication in that period. While there was always communication before, and that was good.”
Ten Hag speaks of 'by far the toughest season he has experienced as a coach'. “I understand very well that Jürgen Klopp says after nine years at Liverpool: 'Now it's over, I don't have the energy anymore.' This is a really tough job.”
In the end, Ten Hag was not only allowed to stay: his contract, which runs until mid-2025, was also extended by a year. In principle, the Dutchman will be at the helm at Old Trafford for two more seasons. Ten Hag now also has two seasons under his belt. In addition to the FA Cup, he also won an EFL Cup in his debut season.
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