By Samuel A. May 25, 2024
A bullish Erik ten Hag hit back after Man Utd’s FA Cup final win against Man City as uncertainty continues to surround his future at the club. The Dutchman’s side beat Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley to win the FA Cup, goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo securing a second trophy in two seasons under Ten Hag, and also securing a place in the 2024/25 Europa League.
When questioned about his future after the game, Ten Hag said: “I don’t think about this. I’m in a project and we are exactly where we want to be. We are constructing a team and when I took over, it was a mess at Man Utd. We are now on our way to constructing a team for the future. There will be ups and downs, but you see, the team is developing, the team is winning and at the end of the day, it is about winning trophies. The team also plays to an identity, but you need the players to be available. You need a strong squad in top football, especially when you play in England and in Europe. The Premier League is so competitive, so you need a very good squad, and you need the players available in that squad.
The team is progressing, and we are winning trophies. Two trophies in two years is not bad. Three finals is not bad, but we have to keep going. I’m not satisfied with it. We have to do better and if they don’t want me anymore, then I’ll go anywhere else to win trophies because that is what I have done my whole career”.
When asked if he felt undermined by the club reportedly speaking to other managers ahead of the final, Ten Hag added: “I don’t know if they’ve done this. I can’t answer this question. Maybe you have sources, I don’t have them.”
When asked if the club needs stability after appointing five permanent managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, Ten Hag replied: “When you see the last decade, there were not so many finals for this club, there were not so many trophies for this club and there were not so many talents coming through into the first team with high potential. But also, in the middle group, they developed this season very well. Think about Diogo Dalot as an example. There are also others.
We strengthened the squad by our coaching and with our training. But also, we still need transfer windows to bring better players in and also players who are always available or often available. When the players are not robust enough, and this season the players were not robust enough, you cannot deliver consistent performances.”
Manchester United will now face Manchester City in the Community Shield at the beginning of next season.
