Erik ten Hag reveals the meeting in Ibiza with INEOS that sealed his future at Manchester United: 'We had to discuss how to move forward'
Erik ten Hag has admitted he had “confrontational” talks with INEOS over his future following Manchester United's FA Cup win last season.
Was Confirmed Ten Hag will keep his position as Red Devils manager in June, with a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2026 signed in July.
The Dutchman's future had been a hot topic surrounding the build-up to and aftermath of the final victory, given Manchester UnitedThe poor season in the Premier League and his exit from the Champions League in the group stage.
They had finished eighth in the top flight, a historic low.
However, their shock victory over Manchester City at Wembley was seen by many as a redeeming achievement for the manager, who took his trophy tally at the club to two, having won the Carabao Cup in his first season in charge.
Despite considering replacements including Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Even Gareth Southgate – minority shareholder Mr. Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford ultimately decided to stay with Ten Hag.
However, in an interview with the Dutch media AD SportwereldThe coach admitted that the process of confirming his extension had been complicated at times.
The 54-year-old was on holiday in Ibiza with his family when the club informed him he would keep his job.
“Communication broke down (with INEOS),” he said. “But I was celebrating the holidays with my loved ones and I let things happen. I have no influence on that.
“Of course, it’s a strange situation, but I wasn’t panicking. It was a decision that wasn’t in my hands. I just waited. At that point, you only think of two scenarios: either we continue or we don’t. It’s that simple and I’m level-headed enough to see it that way.
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“They didn't say: 'We want to stay', but rather: 'We want to stay'. The argument they gave was brief: we have analysed everything and compared everything, but we believe that we already have the best coach at home.
“Then I said, 'We need to talk about a number of things about how we're going to interact with each other and work together.' We had a good, honest, but also confrontational conversation about this. As it should be at the top.
“I've given them my view of the season, of the situation at United and I've indicated what path I think we should take. We have to be very honest with each other about that. And then it's a question of: are we going to be together or not? I also said to them: 'If you think this is not the way forward, then we should part ways.'”
While Ten Hag remains in charge of the club, things are likely to look very different on and off the pitch for United next season.
With former Manchester City executive Omar Barrada becomes the new CEO, Dan Ashworth With the club's new sporting director taking over and Jason Wilcox taking over as head coach, the club's operations could be subject to an overhaul.
Meanwhile, the club has also made a series of signings including former Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee and Lille star Leny Yoro.
