Erik ten Hag Reflects on Manchester United's Challenges and His Own Journey

Erik ten Hag may have been out of the Manchester United hot seat for two years, but his passion for the club remains evident. Despite his sacking in October 2024, the former manager reminisces fondly about his time at Old Trafford, where he clinched two trophies. "I cherished every moment at Manchester United; the memories are truly special," he shares. "I feel connected to the club and its incredible fanbase, who always treated me with respect." However, ten Hag acknowledges that the road to restoring United’s former glory is a long one. The current atmosphere around the club is anything but stable, and he knows the pressures that come with managing such a high-profile team. "Leadership needs competence and a clear strategy," he points out. "What’s your identity? What’s the methodology? You need the right structures in place. Time is essential too." He has thoughts on Michael Carrick, the manager now facing the music. "Sacking him isn’t the answer, not at all," ten Hag insists. "Fans are quick to react emotionally, but decisions should be rational. He’s shown promise as a coach, especially at Middlesbrough. Let him see through his vision with his staff." In a recent interview with The Athletic, ten Hag opened up about his experiences at United and his new role as technical director at FC Twente, his childhood club. Part one of the interview sheds light on various intriguing topics, with part two set to explore his willingness to assist United’s data department and his thoughts on emerging talents like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. Ten Hag's future once hung in the balance just before the 2024 FA Cup final against Manchester City. He was under pressure, with rumors swirling about potential successors like Thomas Tuchel. But a thrilling 2-1 victory turned things around, allowing him to claim his place in the club's history after winning two trophies in two seasons. However, the following discussions revealed cracks in the promises made to him. "I wouldn’t continue with just a year left on my contract," he recalls. "I asked for an extra year, and they assured me of loyalty and backing. We spoke about our plans, but those commitments were not honored." One of the key issues was the unexpected sale of Scott McTominay, who had been a vital player, netting 10 goals that season. "We had a clear agreement in Ibiza: no selling Scott McTominay," ten Hag emphasizes. "I argued that we needed his scoring ability and mentality. But in the end, he was sold, which left me disappointed." Despite securing players like Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, ten Hag's time at United was cut short with the team languishing in 14th place in the Premier League when he was let go. "It felt strange to part ways at that moment," he reflects, noting that the team was still competitive in cup competitions. He believes the process was still underway, with the team fighting hard on the pitch. "Every game, they put in the effort. Even my last match against West Ham was one of our best performances," he recalls. "The players were still on board with me, even if some may say otherwise." Just days before his dismissal, ten Hag sensed something was off following a draw against Fenerbahce in the Europa League. Despite feeling confident about winning the tournament, he was left surprised by the changes that followed. "I can read situations well, and I noticed something was brewing at that point," he admits. "After a summer of apologies and promises to build, it was unexpected to see a shift in direction. "We had targeted the Europa League, and given my success in the previous two seasons, changing managers at that point didn’t seem like sound club management. I did watch the final, but it felt like everything had been turned upside down." Ten Hag embodies a strong mindset, a quality vital for any manager at a club as significant as United. When asked if a manager needs a certain ego to survive the demands of such a role, he responds thoughtfully, "I don’t have that."