Erik ten Hag opens up on secret ‘confrontational’ talks with Man Utd chiefs in Ibiza after being given silent treatment

5 months ago 56

ERIK TEN HAG has lifted the lid on the ‘confrontational’ talks that led to him keeping his job at Manchester United.

The Dutchman was on the brink of the sack after the Red Devils finished an underwhelming the season in eighth place.

a man in a suit holds a trophy and a banner that says emirates fly better

Erik ten Hag is staying on as Man Utd boss after agreeing to a contract extension[/caption]

a man with glasses is covering his mouth while talking to another man

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford flew to Ibiza for talks[/caption]

a group of people are sitting at a table with wine glasses

The owners gatecrashed his family holiday[/caption]

But after beating bitter rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final to secure a second successive season of silverware and qualification for the Europa League, Ten Hag was handed a one-year contract extension.

He is now set to stay in charge until at least the end of the 2025/26 season.

But before the boss put pen to paper on his new deal, new chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe considered getting rid of him.

The club even held talks with ex-Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, while other managers like Mauricio Pochettino and Gareth Southgate were considered.

As alternatives were weighed up, Ten Hag was given the silent treatment by Ineos as he enjoyed a family holiday in Ibiza.

Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford eventually decided to gatecrash his relaxing break abroad, flying to the Spanish island for face-to-face talks.

Ten Hag has now opened up on the meeting, telling Dutch outlet AD: “The communication did fall away.

“But I just celebrated holidays with my loved ones and I let things come to me. I have no influence on that anyway.

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“It’s not like I panicked. It’s a decision that wasn’t in my hands. I just waited for it.

“At that moment you just think in two scenarios – we continue or not.

“It’s that simple and I’m level-headed enough to look at it that way.

“The argument they gave was in a short summary – we looked at everything and put it next to each other and we think we already have the best manager in house.

“I said: ‘Then we have to discuss a number of things about how we interact with each other and work together.’

“We had a good, honest, but also confrontational conversation about that. As it should be at the top.

“I also said to them then ‘if you think this is not the way, then we just have to break up.'”

Since signing an extension, Ten Hag has appointed Rene Hake and club hero Ruud van Nistelrooy as new coaches.

He has also spent £88million on new signings Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro.

Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten Hag

ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.

Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.

Gareth Southgate

Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.

Kieran McKenna

Talks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.

Roberto De Zerbi

Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.

Thomas Frank

Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.

Marco Silva

Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.

Mauricio Pochettino

Fell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Thomas Tuchel

Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.

Ruben Amorim

Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.

Roberto Martinez

Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.

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