Erik ten Hag was asked whether he has been given any assurances he will definitely be Manchester United manager next season ahead of the FA Cup final.
The Dutchman’s response was telling in the wake of premature reports claiming a decision had already been made.
That is not the case as United’s primary focus is on the FA Cup, but journalists need to sell newspapers and they know writing about United is one way to achieve that. Ten Hag is no stranger to the cutthroat industry within football. It exists at Ajax but to a lesser degree.
Ten Hag insists he is looking ahead to next season. He is not looking for assurances about his future because his mind is set on tomorrow’s game at Wembley.
“No, we already did (it) and on Sunday I will go on holiday,” Ten Hag said (via The Independent). “I think I deserve it.”
When asked whether he has been given any assurances he will definitely be working at United next season, he added: “It is not necessary. We go for next season.”
Ten Hag’s quotes were released on Friday night from the embargo section of Thursday evening’s press conference.
The Reds are preparing to face Man City in a repeat of last year’s final, although Ten Hag will be looking for a better result than the 2-1 defeat we managed then.
After winning the Carabao Cup, finishing third in the Premier League and reaching the FA Cup final during a promising first season, Ten Hag has been unable to stop the rot during a disappointing second campaign. It is no secret the club under a new co-owner is making big changes after doing so at board level.
Dan Ashworth is still expected to arrive once the his ongoing situation with Newcastle is solved. The sporting director remains on gardening leave and rumour has it he will have the best garden in the UK by the end of the year.
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