Ten Hag Echoes Warning
A Daunting Warning
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, recently revealed that he was warned about the difficulties of taking on the job. However, he couldn’t resist the allure of the challenge at Old Trafford.
Breaking the Drought
Ten Hag, who left Ajax to join United in 2022, successfully ended the club’s six-year trophy drought last season. Despite this achievement, he has faced intense pressure in his second campaign.
A Rollercoaster Season
United’s recent victory against Chelsea has relieved some of the pressure on their struggling manager. However, the team has suffered 10 losses out of 22 games this season across all competitions.
The Warning
Ten Hag shared that he was advised about the immense challenge of reviving the fortunes of the 20-time English champions. Manchester United has been overshadowed by their city rivals, Manchester City, for the past decade.
The Unwavering Spirit
Despite the warnings, the 53-year-old manager said, “Everyone told me that I couldn’t succeed in that job. They said it was impossible. But I wanted the challenge.”
A Glimpse of Success
Last season, United won the League Cup final against Newcastle and finished third in the Premier League. However, this season has been a different story.
Struggles and Setbacks
United has already been eliminated from the League Cup, trails Premier League leaders Arsenal by nine points, and faces the possibility of an embarrassing exit from the Champions League group stage.
A History of Failed Attempts
Since the retirement of legendary manager Alex Ferguson in 2013, six managers have tried and failed to bring United back to the top of English football. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Ralf Rangnick have all faced the daunting task.
The Love for United
Ten Hag expressed his admiration for the club, saying, “I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but it’s such a great club with an amazing fanbase. People either love or hate Manchester United. I like clubs like this. Ajax was like this.”
Player Support and Future Plans
Ten Hag reassured fans that he still has the backing of the United players, despite reports of conflicts within the dressing room. Additionally, the club is expected to announce the purchase of a 25 percent stake by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe. However, this may not lead to significant spending in the upcoming January transfer window.
Financial Considerations
Ten Hag explained, “I don’t think we will spend a lot. As a club, you have to look for improvements. If you can find better options that are realistic financially and comply with financial fair play, the club should pursue them. However, it’s challenging to attract the best players during the winter transfer window.”
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