Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, has placed pressure on Sir Jim Ratcliffe to swiftly appoint key personnel within the club’s football operations. This urgency stems from Ten Hag’s desire to avoid missing out on crucial transfer targets during the upcoming summer window.
Ten Hag DECLARES WAR! Insists He’ll STAY at Man United Despite DISASTROUS Season
Erik Ten Hag Feels the Loss of Murtough
The departure of John Murtough, Manchester United’s former football director who played a significant role in Ten Hag’s appointment two years ago, has left a void that Ten Hag feels needs to be filled promptly. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the potential new owner of the club, and his advisors are currently in the process of constructing a new team to oversee football operations.
Compensation Hurdles for Potential Replacements
Negotiations to acquire replacements for Murtough haven’t been smooth sailing. Manchester United faces a potential £20 million compensation fee to lure Dan Ashworth, Newcastle’s sporting director. Additionally, they haven’t reached an agreement with Southampton regarding the release of their sporting director, Jason Wilcox.
Despite Murtough’s departure, Ten Hag expressed his faith in the club’s ability to move forward. He acknowledged Murtough’s valuable support and emphasized the importance of a swift replacement alongside the establishment of a new team before the summer transfer window.
Ten Hag Highlights Recruitment Success, Openness to Improvement
“We’re working in the background on plans with the scouting,” Ten Hag said. He accentuated the ongoing recruitment efforts and expressed his confidence in the existing plans. “The plan is ready, but we have to execute,” he added.
While Erik Ten Hag is confident in the current recruitment strategy, he displayed openness to potential improvements under the new ownership. “We have good plans, I think also with quality players,” he remarked. He cited successful acquisitions such as Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund, and Lisandro Martinez as evidence of the team’s recruitment prowess.
“Recruitment is good,” Ten Hag reiterated. “But, if they have even better ideas, we’re always open and always you have to judge. If you have options, but they come with better options, we are open.” He emphasized the need for clear communication regarding the club’s recruitment strategy.
“They have to fill us in. But we have a way we want to play, so we know our profiles and it [the recruitment] has to match the profiles we want,” Ten Hag concluded.
Injuries Hinder Progress, But Ten Hag Remains Accountable
Ten Hag acknowledged the setbacks faced during his second season, including a significant number of injuries, particularly in defense. However, he avoided using this as an excuse for the team’s struggles.
“You have to be realistic,” Erik Ten Hag said. He compared his role as a manager to that of a politician, acknowledging limited control over certain situations. “As a manager, it’s like being a minister [a politician] – you don’t have everything in your hands but, at the end of the day, you have to accept that,” he stated.
He assumed responsibility for the team’s performance. “You’re responsible for everything and I take that. A lot went against us this season, but you have to deal with it. Some things you don’t see coming and you can’t influence as a manager. Then you have to make the best of it,” Ten Hag concluded.
