"The man in the street likes to think that the coach is everything" - Sir Jim Ratcliffe explains why Manchester United kept Erik ten Hag
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has revealed that Manchester United decided to keep Erik ten Hag because the Dutchman is a good coach. He added that the manager is not the centre of issues at the club, but it's the environment around him that's to blame.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Ratcliffe said that none of the coaches have succeeded at Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson, so making a change wasn't needed. He added that the club needs a lot of changes this summer:
"We kept Erik ten Hag because he's a good coach. He did well at Ajax. The man in the street likes to think that the coach is everything, and maybe it was in the days of Ferguson.
"We've had a whole series of good coaches since, and none of them have succeeded. The root of the problem is not the coach, it's the environment around him. That's what we're looking at - we have to address that environment."
He added:
"The coach isn't the central issue at Man United. It's a sports club. It needs to be competitive, it needs a degree of intensity.
"But with a supportive side to it because you are dealing with players who are relatively young. It hasn't had that type of environment historically."
The Red Devils finished eighth in the Premier League last season. However, they finished on a high by winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Manchester United held talks with Thomas Tuchel, confirms Ten Hag
While Sir Jim Ratcliffe said that Erik ten Hag is a good coach, and the club didn't have to replace him, Manchester United held talks with Thomas Tuchel. The Dutchman confirmed last week that the Red Devils were interested in replacing him with Tuchel but eventually decided against it.
Ten Hag said on Dutch TV:
"The club management came to me while I was on holiday in Ibiza. They suddenly showed up on my doorstep and told me they wanted to continue with me.
"It was a turbulent season. Never a dull moment. Man United have told me that they spoke with Tuchel, but they eventually came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager."
Apart from Tuchel, Manchester United were linked with Gareth Southgate, Thomas Frank and Mauricio Pochettino.