Erik ten Hag presents himself at Old Trafford | Football

Ten Hag did not tell his entire life story, but did indicate that he would like to end the era of Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) and Jürgen Klopp (Liverpool), who ensure total domination in the Premier League.

Ten Hag: „Let me state first that I admire them both enormously. What Liverpool and City are doing is great, but you know in football that every era comes to an end. It never goes on indefinitely.”

When asked further and the English press wants to know whether United might not be able to win the league title again until Guardiola and Klopp have left their club, Ten Hag shakes his head. No, he sees opportunities. “Yes, I think we can also be successful if they are still here (in the Premier League).”

Van Gaal

Ten Hag looks neat, he is wearing a white shirt and a beige jacket. The questions are fired at him one after the other. What does he think of Louis van Gaal’s description of his new employer as a commercial club and not as a football club?

“Football is in first, second and third place here”

Ten Hag immediately makes his point. “I set my own course and decide for myself how I look at it. I have spoken to the directors of this club. From all the conversations I notice that football is in first, second and third place here. And every club needs commerce very badly in this time. So I understand that.”

Van de Beek back?

And of course everyone in the press room wants to know whether Donny van de Beek is coming back. Ten Hag does not ignore it. “We have a nice selection, but I’m obviously looking forward to meeting Donny later in the new season.”

He has no major talks with his new player group on the agenda. “No, they should go on vacation first. When I have everything together in pre-season, I will talk to them.”

Ronaldo

Also with Cristiano Ronaldo? What are the plans for him, asks an English reporter. Ten Hag, grinning: “Shall I first discuss that with Cristiano himself?”

There is laughter, but Ten Hag seriously adds that he naturally sees a role for the great Ronaldo in his team. As for Harry Maguire, who has been taunted by supporters and British media for mistakes and blunders in defence. The England international would have no chance of staying.

Maguire

Ten Hag immediately gives Maguire a helping hand: „Maguire has made an excellent contribution to this Man United team. He’s a great player. He has accomplished a lot in his career and I look forward to working with him.”

Ten Hag was delivered to Old Trafford with club security and was met by a large mob of the English media, including the big TV guns the BBC in Sky Sports† The latter TV station has been hot on his heels for months and even went into confrontation over the weekend when he was also escorted to his chauffeured car accompanied by security men around the visit to Crystal Palace’s game against Manchester United.

Ten Hag has not wanted to speak a word about United since the interest of the English, who saw in him the perfect successor to the failing Germans Ralf Rangnick, became known. Even after the official announcement, he only wanted to say something about it, until today.

Everything was saved for his official presentation at United’s house, where fans were already gathering outside on this Monday afternoon and where everyone is terribly curious whether the Dutchman Ten Hag can let the great battleship United steer a different course.

Championship Tour Manchester City

Salient detail for both Ten Hag and his new club: precisely on the day he is presented in the red-colored part of the city, the blue, open double-decker bus of rival and fellow townsman Manchester City is rigged a little further on the same afternoon. Champions Tour’ to be done through Manchester.

Pep Guardiola’s club captured the English league title 24 hours earlier, while United narrowly snatched a ticket to the Europa League thanks to Brighton (which beat West Ham United). If West Ham had won, Ten Hag would have started in the Conference League. In any case, he is saying goodbye to the Champions League, where he has been active with Ajax in recent years.