“Embarrassed” Erik ten Hag accuses Man Utd, INEOS of ‘breaking promises’ before sacking

Erik 10 Hag has actually struck out at his previous club Manchester United for breaking “guarantees” made to him throughout his period at Old Trafford.

The 56-year-old won a EFL Cup and FA Cup throughout his 2 complete seasons in charge of the Red Devils, however he was sacked simply 4 months after raising the latter prize following a bad start to the 2024-25 season.

10 Hag was left “completely devastated” and “ruined” by Man United’s choice to dismiss him according to his previous colleague and friend Hans Kraay Jr.

In an extensive interview with The AthleticTen Hag comprehensive how Man United’s co-owners INEOS decided to activate his 1 year agreement extension, simply weeks after the Red Devils stunned competitors Man City in the FA Cup last.

“I would not happen with just one year left,” states the Dutchman. “So I stated, ‘I require an additional year and we need to do it together’.

“They assured me commitment, they assured me support, they assured interaction, that we get lined up. We discussed the problems, however the guarantees, they didn’t keep.”

Guy United were suffering in 14th location in the Premier League table on 11 points from 9 matches when Ten Hag was sacked in October 2024, following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham.

“I believe it was rather unusual to different methods that minute,” Ten Hag stated, mentioning Man United were still completing in every cup competitors. “All the information was revealing we are great. OK, 2 bad video games to Liverpool and Spurs (both 3-0 home beats). We were beginning the procedure. Let it advance; the gameplay is improving.”

“Maybe can state in a different way, however I see on the pitch, and every video game they combated. My last video game, that was most likely one of our finest video games, we must have won versus West Ham, however I’m sure the procedure was currently continuous; there were currently individuals– perhaps even in the group– who understood what would occur the day after.”

10 Hag vital of Man Utd’s interaction after ‘disruptive’ INEOS takeover

10 Hag has actually stated that he “can check out scenarios” and noticed something was awry behind the scenes before his sacking, while he has actually criticised Man United’s hierarchy for their absence of interaction and tactical connection after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group took sporting control in December 2023.

10 Hag kept in mind that from their extremely first conference at Carrington, the brand-new ownership intended to remove his power, stating: ” started talking about the structure in the football club, how the manager should be head coach… I said, ‘OK, let’s discuss, but my contract is different.’ I never heard anything.

“Then every (Man Utd) press conference, they ask me if the structure should be changed. I always want to cooperate in a club – you can’t do this on your own. You need to find a strategy about philosophy, game model, about team profile, individual profiles. That is what I was used to, but with them there was no communication.”

“The takeover process brought a lot of noise, uncertainty with the people, and disruptions,” he added. “So that was for the manager, for the coach, it was difficult to work, that’s clear. It was very complicated.”

Instead of seeking answers from the board shortly before his sacking, Ten Hag remained defiant, stating: “I was believing I’m the very best supervisor for United, so it does not make good sense to dive in. I was simply concentrating on my group.

“When you pick a supervisor, and he shows the last 2 seasons, winning prizes, entering finals, then I do not believe it’s excellent club management to alter.”

10 Hag left “ashamed and dissatisfied” after McTominay sale

Another of those ‘guarantees’ broken by Man United, according to Ten Hag, was offering academy graduate Scott McTominay to Napoli for ₤ 25.7 m in August 2024, having formerly concurred that the club would not capitalize the midfielder.

“That’s why I got dissatisfied,” Ten Hag stated. “In Ibiza, we concurred. I stated, ‘No selling Scott McTominay’. We would go lined up in the transfer window. I make an argument, a factor: we do not have scoring capabilities.

“Scott brings scoring capabilities and fantastic mindset. He has actually United in all his veins. When they bring up the topic, ‘No’. And in the end they offered him. I got, naturally, extremely ashamed and dissatisfied.”

Scotland global McTominay, 29, went on to end up being Serie A Player of the Year and a Scudetto champs with Napoli in his launching season at the club, while Man United chose to sign Manuel Ugarte as his replacement for around ₤ 50m from Paris Saint-Germain.