'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Erik ten Hag has suggested Manchester United's recent trophy success means only Pep Guardiola has been a superior coach in England since his arrival. The Dutch coach has won two trophies in as many years since his appointment in July 2022.
Ten Hag defiantly defended his record as United manager. He said (via The Sunday Times):
"Of course [I feel stronger]. Before my arrival, this club did not win trophies for six years. In two years, behind Guardiola, we won the most trophies in English football, we are therefore in a position of strength."
Manchester United won the Carabao Cup in Ten Hag's first season in charge. They beat Manchester City 2-1 in last season's FA Cup final to win the oldest national football competition in the world.
Ten Hag's future was the subject of speculation heading into the latter stages of the 2022-23 campaign. His side finished eighth in the Premier League, meaning they were at risk of missing out on European qualification.
That was until Alejandro Garnacho (30') and Kobbie Mainoo (39') came to the fore at Wembley on May 25. The Manchester United duo, whom Ten Hag has played an important role in developing, scored two brilliant goals and secured an unlikely win.
Guardiola hoped to win his 18th major trophy since arriving at City in July 2016. The Spanish coach has been untouchable, overseeing 17 trophy triumphs, including six Premier League titles and a continental treble (2022-23).
Dan Ashworth's old comments on a long-term vision resurface amid Manchester United back Ten Hag
Dan Ashworth has arrived at Manchester United this summer as their new sporting director. Newcastle United placed The highly-rated English director on gardening leave after pushing to join Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS-led co-ownership at Old Trafford.
Ashworth has had to work with the Red Devils since the two Premier League giants agreed on compensation. He's been involved in the arrivals of Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee and French teenage defensive wonderkind Leny Yoro.
The former technical director of England gave an interesting insight into planning for the future at any club in his role. He spoke during his time at Newcastle about not being erratic in response to short-term failure (via UtdPlug):
"A vision without a plan is just a dream and a plan without a vision is just boring... It’s so important not to react to short term failure."
Those comments fit Manchester United's decision to back Ten Hag after the Dutch coach looked increasingly likely to be sacked this summer. He's been handed a one-year contract extension after his side's FA Cup triumph.
However, the Red Devils were poor for most of last season amid injury issues and ownership uncertainty. They have suffered their worst Premier League campaign, finishing eighth with 14 defeats in 38 games.
Ten Hag has a new recruitment team overseeing INEOS's vision at Old Trafford. Ashworth joins new CEO Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox at the club.
