Erik ten Hag has kept his counsel on Manchester United for two years since his sacking in October 2024, but the affection he built up for the club while winning two trophies still shines through when he speaks. "I enjoyed every minute in Manchester United; I have such wonderful memories," says the former United manager. "It feels like I'm connected; I'm a fan. It's an amazing fanbase; they were always respectful to me."
"I really want United to win. I want them to be successful again. I want the club to be back where it once was." That target feels a way off, with the mood around United turbulent once again. Ten Hag knows what it is like to be in the eye of the storm at the world's most talked-about club.
On current manager Michael Carrick, Ten Hag is clear: "It is not the solution to dismiss him. 100 per cent not." He added that Carrick showed good coaching abilities at Middlesbrough and last season, and should be allowed to continue his process.
The Athletic spent two evenings with Ten Hag in his hometown of Enschede to examine his two-and-a-half years managing United and his current role as technical director of FC Twente, his boyhood team. In part one, he discusses the broken "promises" that led to his sacking, why he had to act on Cristiano Ronaldo, a player who "let the team down", and his desire to sign Harry Kane and Declan Rice.
Ten Hag had looked set to lose his job on the eve of the 2024 FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley, as talks with prospective successors had become public. But a 2-1 victory against Pep Guardiola's champions prompted a U-turn from the club's hierarchy, and two weeks later the clause extending his contract by an additional year was triggered.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing