Erik ten Hag has broken his silence after being dismissed as Manchester United manager, calling his departure the end of a “dream” and thanking the fans for their unwavering support.
The 54-year-old Dutchman, who was replaced by Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, leaves after a challenging start that sees United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
Despite winning both the League Cup and FA Cup during his two-year tenure at Old Trafford, Ten Hag struggled to build on that success this season.
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Ten Hag pens down heartfelt letter to United fans
In an open letter to Manchester United fans, as reported by The Sun, he expressed his gratitude. It reads:
“Thank you for always being there for the club. Whether it was at a game far away or a tough match at Old Trafford, your support has been unshakeable.”
He praised the “electrifying” atmosphere at Old Trafford and shared how fans’ support at away games brought “an incredible feeling” to him and the team.
He also highlighted the warmth he received from fans worldwide, saying,
“Walking the streets and being able to chat with fans in England, Europe, Asia, Australia, the USA – you inspired me and radiated a strong sense of unity.”
Ten Hag also thanked Manchester United staff for their support and reflected on his achievements, noting,
“We won two trophies – achievements that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
However, he acknowledged his unrealised ambition, adding,
“Of course, my dream was to bring more trophies to the cabinet. Unfortunately, that dream has come to an end.”
Since joining in 2022, Ten Hag initially brought stability, guiding United to a Carabao Cup victory and a third-place Premier League finish.
Despite an eighth-place finish last season, he was handed a contract extension in July after the FA Cup win over Manchester City.
He subsequently invested £200 million in new players, but the team struggled to perform, marking their worst Premier League start and leaving them winless in three Europa League matches.
