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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has surprisingly revealed that he wouldn’t have preferred a longer contract with the club over the option of just an extra year.
Early last month, United officially confirmed that Ten Hag had extended his terms with the club until June 2026.
This development came after weeks of uncertainty over the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford, following an extremely dreary 2023/24 season that saw the Red Devils finish in eighth position in the Premier League.
The overwhelming sentiment was that United would part ways with Ten Hag and replace him with a new tactician.
United even held talks with Ten Hag’s potential replacements including Thomas Tuchel, Thomas Frank, Mauricio Pochettino, Marco Silva and Kieran McKenna but ultimately, a decision was made to continue with the incumbent gaffer.
Ten Hag spoke to the reporters (via ESPN) and was asked if he feels his position is now stronger than ever before in his United tenure.
The 54-year-old responded, “I felt always strong because I believe in myself. I believe that even in difficult circumstances that I can manage a team in a strong mentality. I believe that I can manage a team in winning positions, but of course it will really help when around you there are strong people with great abilities to help you.
“Then the processes can speed up and you can get to higher levels. So if we can do this together, we achieve quicker but also higher levels.”
When questioned about whether he would have preferred a longer contract as an extra 12 months didn’t feel like massive backing, he remarked, “No, I wanted this. So, I think two years in football is already a long time, and in two years we will see what we have built on top of what we have achieved now.”
“No, I don’t need that. I don’t need that security.”
On whether he expected to get a new contract or whether the plan was to always trigger the extension, Ten Hag revealed, “For me it’s important that we are together and that we are working together, and when you work together, you are in good moments together but also in bad moments.”
“When it’s being questioned in the surrounding, then of course that will flow into a team, and that is not helpful in achieving success.”
“For myself I don’t need this because I have security enough in my life and in my career and I have enough belief that I know when I have a team, I will achieve success.”
Ten Hag explained that he is confident that he will still be backed even if United endure a brought start to the season or if the team experiences bumps along the road.
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