"There are a lot of people who advised me" - Ten Hag says ex-Manchester United boss asked him not to become manager at Old Trafford
Erik ten Hag has revealed that former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal advised him to not take the job as manager. The former Ajax manager took charge of the club in the summer of 2022.
The Dutch manager became the first manager since 1921 to lose his first two games as in charge of the club. Ten Hag's debut season at United saw several ups and downs. Under his reign, The Red Devils conceded several goals at Anfield, their worst-ever performance against Liverpool and their joint-heaviest defeat in the Premier League. Furthermore, United conceded seven goals in a match for the first time since 1931.
Be that as it may, he led Manchester United to a third-place finish, allowing them to secure UEFA Champions League qualification. The Red Devils also reached the final of the FA Cup but lost the final 1-2 to cross-city rivals Manchester City.
The Red Devils had a harrowing last season. They finished eighth in the Premier League, their worst-ever finish in the history of the league. However, they qualified for the Europa League following their 2-1 victory against Manchester City in the final of the FA Cup.
Before accepting the offer from United, Ten Hag was advised against accepting it by several people, including Louis van Gaal, he revealed recently. Here's what he said (via Dutch publication AD):
"Rangnick was absolutely right. We have been working very hard on this for two years, but he said it exactly right: it is a thorough, very complex operation. And I knew when I started that it would be a tough job. There are a lot of people who advised me against it. Yes, including Louis van Gaal."
"This was by far the toughest season I have experienced as a coach. Does this club want to get back to where it was over a decade ago, to a club that wins the Premier League, that can win Champions Leagues? We are really a long way from that, I think."
The Red Devils will take on Fulham on August 16 for their first game of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Manchester United keen on offloading Mason Mount and Antony
The Red Devils signed the former Chelsea star in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of around £90 million. However, the 25-year-old has failed to live up to the expectations he crested following his exceptional spell while at Stamford Bridge.
His stint at Old Trafford has been marred with injuries. Mount appeared in just 20 games for Manchester United across all competitions, scoring one goal and assisting another. His only goal came in March this year, during United's 1-1 draw against Brentford.
Reports suggest Manchester United are fine with offloading him just a season after getting him on board. As for Antony, the Brazilian has failed to live up to the hype. He scored just three goals in 38 appearances across all competitions last season.