Erik ten Hag has called out his former club Manchester United, claiming the Premier League giant broke some “promises” made to him during his tenure at Old Trafford.
The 56-year-old spent two full seasons at Manchester United before he was shown the exit door following a poor start to the 2024-25 season.
Ten Hag won a EFL Cup and FA Cup before his dismissal. The former Ajax manager has now lash out at United board for failing to keep their promise.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Athletic, Ten Hag detailed how Man United’s co-owners INEOS opted to trigger his one-year contract extension, just weeks after the Red Devils stunned rivals Man City in the FA Cup final.
“I wouldn’t go on with only one year left,” says the Dutchman. “So I said, ‘I need an extra year and we have to do it together’.
“They promised me loyalty, they promised me backing, they promised communication, that we get aligned. We spoke about the issues, but the promises, they didn’t keep.”
Erik ten Hag gestures on the touchline during his time as Manchester United coach. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)
With United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table after accumulating just 11 points from nine matches, Ten Hag was sacked in October 2024, following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham.
“I think it was quite weird to separate ways in that moment,” Ten Hag said, pointing out Man United were still competing in every cup competition. “All the data was showing we are good. OK, two poor games to Liverpool and Spurs (both 3-0 home defeats). We were starting the process. Let it progress; the gameplay is getting better.”
“Maybe [the dressing room] can say differently, but I see on the pitch, and every game they fought. Also, my last game, that was probably one of our best games, we should have won against West Ham, but I’m sure the process was already ongoing; there were already people – maybe even in the team – who knew what would happen the day after.”
Ten Hag noted that he sensed something was amiss behind the scenes before his sacking, while he has criticised Man United’s hierarchy for their lack of communication and strategic continuity after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group took sporting control in December 2023.
”[Ratcliffe] started talking about the structure in the football club, how the manager should be head coach… I said, ‘OK, let’s discuss, but my contract is different.’ I never heard anything.
“Then every (Man Utd) press conference, they ask me if the structure should be changed. I always want to cooperate in a club – you can’t do this on your own. You need to find a strategy about philosophy, game model, about team profile, individual profiles. That is what I was used to, but with them there was no communication.”
“The takeover process brought a lot of noise, uncertainty with the people, and disruptions,” he added. “So that was for the manager, for the coach, it was difficult to work, that’s clear. It was very complicated.”
