ERIK TEN HAG has been ANNOUNCED as Manchester United manager.
The Dutchman has signed a three-year deal at Old Trafford with the option of a further year and will take over after he has finished the season with Ajax.
The 52-year-old said: “It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead.
“I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.”
Ajax are currently top of Eredivisie by four points with five games to go and Ten Hag can pack his bags for Manchester after the season is done.
And Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted leaving Carrington in the back of a Mercedes this afternoon.
Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford in our live blog…
Ten Hag’s record-breaking wages
Newly announced Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will reportedly bank a ‘record-breaking’ salary for taking over as boss.
The 52-year-old has penned a three-year deal, with the option for a further 12 months.
While Ten Hag’s Old Trafford earnings remain unknown, he is set to become the highest paid Dutchman in Premier League history.
Dutch outlet De Telegraaf claim he will earn more than countryman Louis van Gaal did during his fateful two-year spell at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal, who revealed earlier this month he was battling cancer, is said to have earned a £3.3million base salary at United – not including bonuses.
Therefore Ten Hag’s wages will exceed that number, with his official salary yet to be confirmed.
Neville outlays United vision
Gary Neville wants Ten Hag to concentrate on building new foundations at Man United before challenging for a trophy.
Neville said: “First, it should be getting back into the top four, re-establishing Manchester United in the Champions League, attract the players into the club that play the way he wants to play and then start to get a system of belief.
“It took Jurgen Klopp five years to win a Premier League title [at Liverpool], as great a job as he has done.
“At the end of last year, to be fair, I thought United were getting closer [to winning the title]. Yet it’s all collapsed and fallen to pieces and I don’t know why that has happened.
“Erik ten Hag gets to pick up the pieces. Initial phase: Build the foundations of what he wants to achieve.”
More from Irwin
Man United will be challenging for the Prem in two to three years with Ten Hag at the helm.
That’s the opinion of club legend Denis Irwin who has been impressed with the style of play the Dutchman’s instilled with Ajax.
He said: “Yeah, it might take time with an overhaul due in terms of the first-team squad, and we need a bit of patience as well.
“The best-case scenario is we’ll be challenging hopefully in two or three years’ time for the league, but I’m excited by the style of football and the fact he seems an honest and hard-working manager.”
Irwin on Ten Hag
Man United legend Denis Irwin is ecstatic over the club’s appointment of Ten Hag.
Irwin told Sky Sports: “I’m more than happy. He’s an exciting appointment.
“The style of football he’s played at Ajax over the last four and a half years is great to watch.
“He’s had success in Holland and on the European stage, and I think all the fans are right behind it.”
Conte on top-four race
Spurs boss Antonio Conte is bracing for a fight with Arsenal and Man United over the coveted fourth spot.
Conte said: “We have to fight with Arsenal, they showed yesterday they are in good form, Man Utd, West Ham and Wolverhampton.
“Now we have to fight until the end. The last second of the last game we will see which will be our place in the table.”
Neville on Ten Hag
Gary Neville has revealed he isn’t excited by Man United’s appointment of Erik ten Hag because of the club’s current poor form.
Although he expects his feelings to change when the pre-season period kicks in.
Neville said: “I wouldn’t say excitement because of the mood we’re in at the moment as Manchester United.
“But come the end of the season, there will be a lot of outgoings and a group of new signings which always bring excitement, then hopefully a manager who can get the side playing with pride again.
“It’s difficult at this stage to get excited, but in pre-season there will be that feeling. There will be excitement but I don’t quite feel it at this moment in time because of how bad United currently are.
“Erik ten Hag is the man of the moment and the overwhelming choice of the fans.”
Conte’s warning to Ten Hag
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has claimed Erik ten Hag has a tough task on his hands at Man United.
Conte said: “Don’t forget that last season United were in second place and improve the squad with Varane, Sancho and Ronaldo.
“It’s strange but they’ve improved the squad and have done worse than last season. It shows it’s not easy, particularly in England.
“In England it’s a big job for every manager, the level is so high. When you’re at Manchester United the pressure is massive.
“You have to fight to win trophies. It’s not easy because other teams have the same idea.”
Maguire bomb scare
Man United and England star Harry Maguire has been left shocked after receiving a bomb threat.
Cheshire police with sniffer dogs have been sent to the mansion where Maguire lives with fiancee Fern Hawkins and their two daughters.
Searches are ongoing.
The chilling warning came via email that a bomb would be planted at the home of the United skipper.
Ten Hag the defender
Erik ten Hag had a 13 year playing career, playing for four different clubs between 1989 and 2002, all in the Netherlands.
The centre-back had THREE spells with Twente, appearing a total of 248 times.
Who is Erik ten Hag?
Ten Hag started his managerial career in 2012, taking over at Dutch minnows Go Ahead Eagles.
The former centre-back spent two years at Bayern Munich II, before enjoying another two seasons back in Holland, with Utrecht.
Ten Hag took over at Ajax in 2017 and has helped them win TWO Eredivisie titles – in 2018-19 and 2020-21 – with a third looking almost certain this season.
The boss famously led Ajax to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final only to be stunned after a late Tottenham comeback – denying them a date with Liverpool in the final.
Ten Hag has also won two KNVB Cup crowns and the Johan Cruyff Shield during his time in Amsterdam.
Ten Hag ‘hugely excited’ by United
Upon the announcement of the Dutchman as the new United boss, Ten Hag spoke to the Manchester United official site.
He said: “It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead.
“I know the history of this great club and the passion of the fans, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve.
“It will be difficult to leave Ajax after these incredible years, and I can assure our fans of my complete commitment and focus on bringing this season to a successful conclusion before I move to Manchester United.”
It is a great honour to be appointed manager of Manchester United and I am hugely excited.
Erik Ten Hag
Steve McClaren to join Ten Hag’s assistant staff
Steve McClaren is reportedly set to become Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United assistant – despite the club initially REJECTING their new manager’s request, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
And the current Ajax boss will start his Old Trafford role this summer after penning a three-year deal.
However, there is still no announcement over Ten Hag’s backroom staff.
It’s believed he wants to bring Ajax No2 Mitchell van der Gaag and former England boss McClaren to Old Trafford.
But the Telegraph claims United had been resisting Ten Hag’s calls to give McClaren a job.
Ten Hag had been asked to first evaluate United’s current options before requesting any drastic changes to staff.
However, it’s now said that Red Devils chiefs have given in to Ten Hag’s demands.
And McClaren is now on the verge of a stunning return to the Premier League.
The 60-year-old served as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant from 1999 to 2001.
And Ten Hag, who in turn was McClaren’s No2 at FC Twente, believes he brings unrivalled experience of the English game.
Meanwhile, United remain in negotiations with Ajax for Van der Gaag.
United Welcome Erik
Manchester United have released a photograph of Ten Hag, sporting a Red Devils shirt draped over his shoulder.
The caption read: “New beginnings.”
Ten Hag to bring Ajax assistant with him
Mitchell van der Gaag is set to join Manchester United as Erik ten Hag’s assistant manager, say reports.
The Manchester Evening News report that Ten Hag is set to bring Van der Gaag with him.
However, United are yet to finalise terms on a deal.
The 50-year-old joined Ajax in 2019 as head coach of the club’s B team, before being promoted to Ten Hag’s assistant last year.
Cristiano thanks fans for tribute
Ronaldo was very appreciative of the reception given by United and Liverpool fans for wife Georgina Rodriguez and family on Tuesday night at Anfield.
There was a moment of reflection in the 7th minute of the game as fans gave their support to Ronaldo and his family after they announced a tragic loss of one of the twin babies during birth last week.
He said: “One world… One sport… One global family… Thanks, Anfield.
“Me and my family will never forget this moment of respect and compassion”
United transfer targets
United are looking at spending another £350million to put together a new team — and that is with a couple of free transfers, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
Spurs’ Harry Kane is an obvious strike target, as well as Declan Rice at West Ham to bolster the midfield, along with Wolves’ Ruben Neves.
RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku is certainly one Rangnick will have put on the board’s radar.
He has 17 goals and 13 assists playing across the front line this season.
At the back, United could pick up a couple of great frees in Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea, whose contract is running down, and Ten Hag’s own Noussair Mazraoui at Ajax.
Presnel Kimpembe from Paris Saint-Germain at centre-back is also a possibility at £36million.
This rebuild is a huge responsibility, or more years in the wilderness will follow.
You can only wish Ten Hag good luck.
Ronaldo under Ten Hag and Red Devils character
Ronaldo is another big question Ten Hag needs to answer.
While his arrival seemed to unsettle the set-up and plans Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had for the season, his goals return cannot be questioned.
Some like Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Lingard are just off, so there is nothing to decide. Others must be shown the exit.
Ten Hag will know his fellow Dutchman Donny van de Beek well but he simply cannot play in the Premier League — as Everton are now also finding out during his loan spell there.
Anthony Martial will be lucky to find another club after his downturn at United has been followed by a horror spell on loan at Sevilla.
For Sir Alex Ferguson, talent was only half of it when he was looking for a player.
He wanted a deep-dive into their character before he made a decision.
Would he ever have signed Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Angel Di Maria or Pogba, who he had already got rid of once?
Too many players bought over the last nine years since Fergie retired have not had the character to succeed at Old Trafford.
So few leaders, so many willing to hide and hang the manager out to dry.
Ten Hag’s defensive woes at Old Trafford
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have had stinkers this season, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
Shaw was probably the best full-back in Europe last season and Maguire’s arrival in summer 2019 coincided immediately with an improvement in defensive displays.
Can Ten Hag revive and reboot them?
Roy Keane claimed you cannot win a title with Scott McTominay and Fred in midfield but you would certainly want them in your squad.
Elsewhere, Raphael Varane is becoming a bit of an Alexis Sanchez.
Big name, big money but not big performances and while Maguire plays through injury, Varane is too often sidelined.
Ten Hag’s to do list
Ask any irate United fan right now and there would be nobody left at Carrington next season bar De Gea, Cristiano Ronaldo and a few young lads knocking on the door, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
But Ten Hag has to balance how much better he can make what he is inheriting with those who are lost or “broken” — Neville’s word again — and simply irreparable.
Everyone will have their opinions and it is a lot easier just to say ‘Get out’ than give someone another chance.
Take local lad Marcus Rashford, who has just made his 300th appearance for United.
He has had a dreadful season, his woeful first touch when put through at Anfield in the first half summed it up.
Rashford’s confidence is shot on match day.
Yet Rangnick’s assessment of the player due to what he produces in training is still very high.
Can a new coach like Ten Hag transfer that in to games?
Where to start for Ten Hag
What were Manchester United left with for their clash at bitter rivals Liverpool?
Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic, two players who started at Anfield, are definitely leaving this summer, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
As is Jesse Lingard, who came on to replace the injured Pogba after ten minutes.
Phil Jones was starting just his second game of the season and had to be withdrawn for his own good at half-time.
Elsewhere you could not name a single player who would get into Liverpool’s team, or Manchester City’s, or maybe even Chelsea or Spurs bar goalkeeper David de Gea.
The team is “nothing”, as Gary Neville put it.
So where does incoming boss Erik ten Hag start?
Football director Murtough’s admiration for Ten Hag
John Murtough, Football Director at Manchester United, spoke to the club’s official site upon the signing of Ten Hag.
He said: “During the past four years at Ajax, Erik has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe, renowned for his team’s attractive, attacking football and commitment to youth.
“In our conversations with Erik leading up to this appointment, we were deeply impressed with his long-term vision for returning Manchester United to the level we want to be competing at, and his drive and determination to achieve that.
“We wish Erik the best of luck as he focuses on achieving a successful end to the season at Ajax and look forward to welcoming him to Manchester United this summer.”
Erik has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe, renowned for his team’s attractive, attacking football and commitment to youth.
John Murtough, Football Director
Van der Sar speaks on the departure of boss Ten Hag
Ajax Chief Executive Edwin van der Sar has spoken on Erik ten Hag’s departure from the Amsterdam club.
He said: “Four and a half years is a good amount of time, but we would have liked to have kept Erik at Ajax for longer.
“He is going to make the step to one of the biggest clubs in the world, in a fantastic league.
“We owe Erik a lot of thanks for what he has achieved with Ajax so far, but we are not done yet.
“At the end of the season, I will look back more extensively on his departure.
“For now, what matters is the final games of the season in which we all want to bring home the league title.”
“Ten Hag is going to make the step to one of the biggest clubs in the world, in a fantastic league.
Edwin van der Sar
Ajax tried to keep Ten Hag
Ajax had fought tooth and nail to keep Ten Hag at the Eredivisie leaders.
Technical director Gerry Hamstra said: “I can be very clear about this, we did [try to keep him].
“We did everything to. We are trying everything to keep him.”
When asked if the club offered Ten Hag a bumper new deal, Hamstra added: “Yes. We tried everything.
“When? Recently.”
Who is Erik ten Hag?
Ten Hag started his managerial career in 2012, taking over at Dutch minnows Go Ahead Eagles.
The former centre-back spent two years at Bayern Munich II, before enjoying another two seasons back in Holland, with Utrecht.
Ten Hag took over at Ajax in 2017 and has helped them win TWO Eredivisie titles – in 2018-19 and 2020-21 – with a third looking almost certain this season.
The boss famously led Ajax to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final only to be stunned after a late Tottenham comeback – denying them a date with Liverpool in the final.
Ten Hag has also won two KNVB Cup crowns and the Johan Cruyff Shield during his time in Amsterdam.
United decision on Ten Hag
Ten Hag was keen to get several assurances from the hierarchy before he took the job in order to give himself the best possible chance of turning the club around write DAVE FRASER and MARTIN BLACKBURN.
There was some interest from RB Leipzig – but once he knew he would get the support he needed there was no doubt in his mind he wanted the United job.
Red Devils chiefs are desperate to finally find a successful replacement to Sir Alex Ferguson, with the announcement coming just two days after being humiliated 4-0 by rivals Liverpool.
United haven’t won the Premier League title since Fergie’s final season in 2012-13.
The club have burned through David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, before turning to Rangnick to steady the ship until the end of this season.
But Manchester United are currently on their longest trophy drought since they were last relegated nearly 50 years ago.
And after an extensive hunt, the Old Trafford board have named Ten Hag their new boss.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
