 "Erik ten Hag won the FA Cup with Manchester United after a disastrous league campaign. Reuters")
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed that the club had courted Thomas Tuchel to replace him but opted to persevere with the Dutchman when “they came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager”.
Ten Hag was the subject of intense scrutiny after United ended last season eighth in the Premier League – their lowest finish since 1990 – and crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage.
But he did help salvage some pride thanks to a 2-1 FA Cup final win over local rivals Manchester City at Wembley which secured a place in next season’s Europa League.
“The club management came to me while I was on holiday in Ibiza,” Ten Hag told NOS on Sunday, while working as a football pundit for the Dutch broadcaster.
“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.”
Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino and Kieran McKenna, boss of newly-promoted Ipswich, were both reported for the job.
Others linked to United included Graham Potter, Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi and current England manager Gareth Southgate.
But it was former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager Tuchel who attracted United’s interest the most.
The German reportedly met United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, only to appear to rule himself out.
But Ten Hag said United chiefs had flown to Ibiza to tell him they wanted him to continue.
“Manchester United have told me that they spoke with Tuchel, but they eventually came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager.”
Ten Hag, reflecting on the club’s season review, added: “As in any organisation, it is wise to evaluate. Manchester United did that too. The new owner (Ratcliffe) is new to football, he has taken his time.
“They have indeed told me that they have spoken to other managers. That is not even allowed in the Netherlands. Then it is forbidden to talk to other coaches if there is still a trainer (manager).”
Ten Hag, who joined United from Ajax in 2022 and is into his final year at Old Trafford, said while he had yet to conclude talks on an extension, he was confident of a new deal.
“We have had good discussions with each other, various topics have been discussed,” he said. “The conclusion is that we will continue together and that they will extend my contract.
“We still have to reach an agreement on that.”
Ten Hag is United’s fifth manager since the end of Alex Ferguson’s trophy-filled reign in 2013, following David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.