Ten Hag: Only Pep did better in England 🏆
Erik Ten Hag has been shaking things up since taking charge of Manchester United in May 2022. With 68 wins from 114 games, he is not exactly a slacker. He has gone toe-to-toe with heavyweights like Guardiola, Klopp, Pochettino and Arteta. Sure, his journey has been a rollercoaster, but he has won the Carabao Cup and finished third in his debut season.
But the 2023-24 season was a bit of a struggle. United stumbled to eighth place in the league but bounced back to win the FA Cup against Manchester City. That victory not only saved the season, but also secured Europa League qualification.
Rumours had it that Ten Hag was on the chopping block before the FA Cup final. But United’s new co-owners, Ineos under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, decided to stick with him and extended his contract. Despite finishing 31 points behind City and bottom of the Champions League group, Ten Hag held his own.
“Winning the FA Cup makes you feel stronger,” he told The Times. “This club hadn’t won anything in six years before I came. In the two years since Guardiola, we’ve won the most trophies in English football. We’re in a strong position.”
Ten Hag’s two trophies put him ahead of Klopp and Moyes, who have won one title each in the past two years, while Guardiola has four. But Ten Hag admits there is still room for improvement. “We have to be more consistent and create a winning culture throughout the club,” he added.
United’s struggles were evident last season, with a negative goal difference and their worst league finish since 1989-90. Ten Hag is wasting no time in addressing the issue. They have already brought in Joshua Zirkzee and Lenny Yoro, while Jadon Sancho is back in the first team.
After losing 1-0 to Rosenborg in a friendly, United bounced back with a 2-0 win over Rangers before heading to the United States to face Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool.
