Erik ten Hag says ex-Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal told him not to take the job, while agreeing with Ralf Rangnick's Old Trafford warning.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Ten Hag admits last season was his 'toughest'Agrees with ex-Man Utd boss Rangnick's warningSays Van Gaal told him to snub Man Utd jobWHAT HAPPENED?
In a wide-ranging interview, Ten Hag said "a lot of people" advised him against joining United, including ex-Netherlands boss Van Gaal, that his predecessor Rangnick was right when he said the club needed "open-heart surgery", and how difficult last season was for him.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT ERIK TEN HAG SAID
The ex-Ajax boss told Dutch publication : ‘’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.‘’
He added: "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 BIGGER PICTURE
Ten Hag was under pressure to keep his job after leading United to their lowest-ever Premier League finish of eighth last season, but the club's lengthy injury list and their FA Cup triumph saved him. However, some of their struggles, arguably, were down to the manager's shortcomings and he, and his players, will have to up their game to challenge for more trophies and climb up the league next term.
DID YOU KNOW?
Back in March 2022, when Ten Hag was linked with United during his time at Ajax, Van Gaal fired a warning shot to his compatriot about moving to Old Trafford.
The former Bayern Munich manager, who was sacked days after leading United to a FA Cup triumph in 2016, said at the time: "I think Ten Hag is a great coach; I said that multiple times. A great coach is good for Man Utd. But Man Utd is a commercial club. Those are difficult choices for a coach. As a coach, you should prefer a football club."