Erik ten Hag is enjoying an impressive first season at Man United and he’s outlined what he wants to achieve with his rebuild.
Ten Hag has impressed since becoming United’s manager (Image: MUTV)
Erik ten Hag wants to create a winning culture, a good team and to maximise the potential of players at Manchester United.
Although this season was expected to be a transitional campaign, Ten Hag has already made stellar progress at Old Trafford and his side are currently third in the Premier League, whilst United will also play in the Carabao Cup final this month.
Ten Hag has been able to transform the club’s fortunes after arriving on the back of a joyless season and he’s inspired improvement from the dressing room, with players such as Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw rediscovering their form.
The Dutchman recently attended an Elite Coaches Forum at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland and he discussed his first season so far in Manchester at that event, where he reiterated his tenure at United must be a long-term project.
“I’m fine and I’m happy there. I was looking for a new challenge and Manchester United was a big club, but obviously less successful [in the] last couple of years, so there’s huge talent to restore that big club [to] where they belong,” Ten Hag told UEFA.com.
“It’s not only about training the team. It’s about changing the culture, getting a winning culture, and that’s what I aim for, but when I say ‘I’, no: ‘We’. We have to do it together. Manchester United is a great club, [there are] big fans all over the world, it’s a very global club. I’m really happy to be there, to be part of it. We want to be successful, but it’s got to be long term.
“Every day, I expect the best from myself. I want to challenge myself. And, together with my coaches, I want to get the best out of the players. We want to create a good team but I also want to maximise the performances of the players.
“We work 24/7, that’s clear, because you never get rid of football. You never get rid of your team, but you also need to step back at times. I like to jog or bike or to play golf. Or to go to restaurants or the cinema. I also like to go on holiday.
“Of course, I don’t have a lot of time for it. I like to go to Switzerland or Austria and, when the weather’s nice, Italy or Spain. But football is always in your head. It’s in your mind. You work with it all the time.”
source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
