Erik ten Hag reveals he has spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson about becoming Man United’s new manager as the Dutchman insists he is ‘CONVINCED’ he can bring successful times back to Old Trafford… but jokes: ‘I don’t need the hairdryer!’
- Erik Ten Hag is the fifth permanent Man United boss since Sir Alex Ferguson left
- The previous four managers have been unable to replicate Ferguson’s success
- Ten Hag has confirmed that he has spoken with Ferguson about his new role
- The Dutchman believes he can follow on from Ferguson and achieve success
Erik Ten Hag has spoken with Sir Alex Ferguson over his new job as Manchester United boss, the Dutchman has revealed.
Ten Hag became the fifth permanent manager at Old Trafford since Ferguson retired in 2013 when he joined United from Ajax this summer.
The 52-year-old confirmed that he has spoken to Ferguson about the role, saying: ‘I had contact with him but what we spoke is private. It is always fantastic to talk with Sir Alex about life, but especially about football.’
Nevertheless, when the subject of Ferguson’s fabled hairdryer came up, he looked puzzled before breaking into a broad smile. ‘But I don’t need the hairdryer!’ grinned Ten Hag.
Erik Ten Hag has had a positive pre-season to date since becoming Man United’s new manager
Ten Hag has revealed he has spoken with United’s most successful manager, Sir Alex Ferguson
David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all failed to match Ferguson’s success over the last nine years, but Ten Hag is confident that he is the man to reverse United’s fortunes.
‘I must say I have a strong belief,’ he said. ‘This is a big challenge but, until now, everywhere I’ve been I’ve got the maximum out of my teams. This project is the most difficult, I realise that. I know it’s not an easy job. But I am here, so I am convinced I can do it.’
Asked about his targets for the first season, Ten Hag was careful not to make any bold predictions about usurping Manchester City or Liverpool.
Ten Hag is ‘convinced’ that he can reverse United’s fortunes during his time at Old Trafford
‘The first target is to win every game,’ he added. ‘That has to be our approach. That belongs to Man United.
‘We want to play proactive, attacking football where it’s possible. We want to play good, but if we don’t play good we still have to win.
‘I have a strategy. It’s a process, it takes time. But in the end we have to make sure from the outset there is a winning team.’
