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Erik ten Hag has reignited talk over his future by insisting he'd leave Manchester United if their owners felt they had found someone superior. The Dutch coach was heavily expected to leave this summer, but the club decided to stick with him after the Red Devils' FA Cup triumph.
INEOS conducted a long-winded end-of-season review, which included deciding Ten Hag's future. The club's new co-owners interviewed several candidates for the job but decided he was the best man to oversee a new era at Old Trafford.
Dutch outlet AD asked Ten Hag about the post-season speculation linking him with a departure. He responded:
"I wanted to win. If the United management finds someone tomorrow who they think is better, I'll go. It's that simple."
Former Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel was among the coaches interviewed for the role. Ten Hag confirmed the German held talks shortly after he was handed a new one-year contract extension.
Ten Hag knows that a club of Manchester United's stature requires you to win. He oversaw the worst Premier League campaign in the club's history last season but secured the FA Cup, his second trophy in as many years:
"Those are the mechanisms in football that you have to respect. At a club like this, but also at Bayern Munich and Ajax, it's crystal clear: if you don't win, you have a problem."
He alluded to the fatigue incurred by an exhausting season that took its toll on the team's morale. His troops lost 14 of 38 league games, finishing eighth in the table:
"You get tired, especially at the end. Then you have to ensure that you maintain the sharpness. Let's face it: you lose too many matches, it just takes strength to keep the team focused and motivated every time. The players are disappointed, the people around you are disappointed."
INEOS stuck with Ten Hag but has made several changes to his club this summer. Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake have joined the Dutchman's coaching staff, with Mitchell van der Gaag leaving and Steve McClaren taking on a new role.
Who could replace Erik ten Hag if he leaves Manchester United?
Ten Hag's latest comments suggest he may depart in the near future. His contract extension doesn't show complete faith, as the club simply triggered the one-year option in his contract.
Tuchel is reportedly the frontrunner to replace Ten Hag if Manchester United decide to part ways at any point. The former Chelsea manager knows the Premier League well and won the UEFA Champions League at Stamford Bridge.
Gareth Southgate appeared to be one of the favorites when Ten Hag was expected to be sacked. The aforementioned report suggests the now former England boss isn't in the frame should the job become available.
There is the possibility that Van Nistelrooy's appointment has come with the vision of him being Ten Hag's either long-term or short-term replacement. The Red Devils' iconic former striker previously coached PSV Eindhoven and turned down Burnley's vacancy for the assistant manager job.
