Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag reveals that he had “confrontational” talks with the club’s hierarchy earlier this summer.
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that he had “confrontational” talks with the club’s hierarchy after it was decided that he would be staying at Old Trafford.
There was widespread speculation surrounding the Dutchman’s future towards the end of last season, with the Red Devils finishing down in eighth position in the Premier League table.
However, a difficult campaign ended on a positive note, with Man United beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final to secure silverware and also qualify for next season’s Europa League.
Ten Hag has now had his contract extended until June 2026, and the Dutchman has been boosted by two quick-fire signings this summer, with Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro arriving from Bologna and Lille respectively.
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Ten Hag reveals “honest” discussions with Man United hierarchy
The 54-year-old was on holiday with his family in Ibiza over the summer when he met with Man United chiefs.
“The argument they gave was briefly: we’ve looked at everything and put it all together, but we think we already have the best manager in-house,” Ten Hag told AD.
“Then I did say: then we need to discuss some things, about how we interact and collaborate. We had a good, honest, but also confrontational conversation about that. As it should be at the top.
“I gave my vision of the season, on the situation at United. And I indicated which path we should take in my opinion. You have to be very honest with each other about that. And then it’s about: do you come together or not? I also told them: ‘If you think this is not the way, then we should just part ways.’
“[It was] by far the toughest season I’ve experienced as a coach. You get tired, especially at the end. You have to make sure you stay sharp. Let’s be honest: you lose too many games, it just takes effort to keep the team focused, motivated every time.
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Ten Hag has won two trophies at Man United
“The players are disappointed, the people around you are disappointed. This is a very big club, with a lot of people working here. Those people get disappointed too, a negative atmosphere develops. As a manager, you have to keep providing energy. That takes strength, of course.
“It had nothing to do with the intensity of my training because here you train and play every three days. When you see the schedule we had – with 61 matches, not counting all the games my players played for their national teams – it’s just bizarre. It’s really too much.
“We weren’t the only team struggling with injuries, other clubs had the same issue. Last season, we had it constantly in the same positions, all in defence. At one point, we hardly had any defenders left.”
Ten Hag, who is currently preparing his side for Saturday’s pre-season friendly with Rangers, has won two trophies during his time at Old Trafford, lifting the EFL Cup in 2022-23 before securing the FA Cup last term.