Was Ten Hag backstabbed by Man United? Dutchman reveals how club contacted other managers

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has made a startling revelation that the Premier League club courted Thomas Tuchel to replace the Dutchman as the manager. Ahead of the England vs Serbia Euro 2024 match, Ten Hag, appearing for a television channel, stated that United went behind his back and talked to potential manager candidates.

The top hierarchy at United was all set to fire Ten Hag at the end of the season but the team's improbable FA Cup win against Manchester City made the situation fluid.

Despite the overwhelming majority of the fanbase wanting Ten Hag to stay at the job, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the minority owner of United, held a meeting with Tuchel to discuss the job opportunity.

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“Manchester United have told me that they spoke with Tuchel, but they eventually came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager,” said Ten Hag.

'That's no secret'

Ten Hag said the Tuchel meeting was no secret but the fact that Ratcliffe's company INEOS held the conversation when he was still the manager, came as a cultural shock to him.

"That’s no secret. Everyone has heard that they have spoken to several candidates. In the Netherlands that is not done. You are not even allowed to talk to another club if there is a current trainer there. But in England the rules and laws are different. But in the end, they came to the conclusion that they have the best trainer,”

After the talks with Tuchel led nowhere, the United board decided to persist with Ten Hag as bringing a new manager would have offset all the development.

“The club management came to me while I was on holiday in Ibiza. They suddenly showed up on my doorstep and told me they wanted to continue with me. It was a turbulent season. Never a dull moment," Ten Hag added.

The Dutchman added that although it was discussed to extend the contract, a final agreement was yet to be agreed between both parties.

While Ten Hag has managed to win two trophies in his two-year stay at Old Trafford and now secured the job,the club is yet to display a cogent footballing philosophy.

Oftentimes,Ten Hag has been bailed by individual brilliance from players and such a streak for a club of stature like United does not augur well regarding a long-term future.

(With inputs from agencies)