Ten Hag: Only Pep’s Done Better in England 🏆
Erik ten Hag’s been stirring things up since he took the reins at Manchester United in May 2022. With 68 wins out of 114 games, he’s not exactly a slouch. He’s gone head-to-head with heavyweights like Guardiola, Klopp, Pochettino, and Arteta. Sure, his journey’s been a rollercoaster, but he’s managed to snag the Carabao Cup and finish third in his debut season.
The 2023-24 season, though, was a bit rocky. United stumbled to eighth in the league but pulled off a comeback by clinching the FA Cup against Man City. That win not only salvaged their season but also secured them a Europa League spot.
Rumor had it Ten Hag was on the chopping block before the FA Cup final. Yet, United’s new part-owners, Ineos, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, decided to stick with him and extended his contract. Despite finishing 31 points behind City and bottoming out in their Champions League group, Ten Hag stood by his record.
“Winning the FA Cup does make me feel stronger,” he told The Times. “This club hadn’t won anything for six years before I came. In two years, after Guardiola, we’ve won the most trophies in English football. We’re in a strong position.”
Ten Hag’s two trophies put him ahead of Klopp and Moyes, each with one title in the last two years, while Guardiola has snagged four. But Ten Hag admits there’s still room for growth. “We need to be more consistent and create a winning culture across the whole club,” he added.
Last season, United’s struggles showed with a negative goal difference and their lowest league finish since 1989-90. Ten Hag’s not wasting time addressing these issues. They’ve already brought in Joshua Zirkzee and Lenny Yoro, and Jadon Sancho’s back in the first team.
After a rough 1-0 loss to Rosenborg in a friendly, United bounced back with a 2-0 win over Rangers. Next up, they’re heading to the US to face Arsenal, Real Betis, and Liverpool.
