Erik ten Hag warned Manchester United’s homeowners that he’ll keep it up successful trophies elsewhere in the event that they determine to sack him within the aftermath of Saturday’s 2-1 victory in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the FA Cup closing.
Ten Hag went into the ultimate rocked by reviews that he can be dismissed whatever the consequence at Wembley.
However United’s beleaguered supervisor made a convincing case to stay in cost as he outwitted Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola to ship the second trophy of his turbulent two-year reign.
Now Ten Hag should wait to find his destiny after insisting he had not been instructed if he will likely be axed.
United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and members of the Glazer household, who’re the membership’s majority shareholders, celebrated the workforce’s first FA Cup triumph in eight years from the Royal field.
It stays to be seen whether or not that will likely be sufficient to save lots of Ten Hag after United completed eighth within the Premier League — their lowest closing place since 1990 — and crashed out of the Champions League on the group stage.
United have been overwhelmed 14 instances within the league — together with humiliating losses to Crystal Palace and Bournemouth — completed with a unfavorable aim distinction and got here 31 factors behind champions Metropolis.
But Ten Hag is adamant United are not off course below his steerage.
And in a defiant post-match press convention, the previous Ajax boss made it clear he didn’t concern the sack.
“After I began right here, I mentioned I’m right here to win, additionally I need to construct a workforce. Each I’m doing,” he mentioned.
“In the event that they don’t need me, I’m going wherever else and do what I did my entire profession, successful video games and trophies.”
Requested if he had acquired any assurances that his job was safe for the reason that reviews of his potential dismissal, Ten Hag mentioned: “That’s what they at all times inform me (up to now).
“Each time it’s the identical query. They don’t have to inform me each week. “I don’t take into consideration this. I’m in a challenge and we’re precisely the place we need to be. We’re establishing a workforce for the longer term.”
United have been linked with former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, ex-Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel, England supervisor Gareth Southgate and Ipswich chief Kieran McKenna.
Pressed on whether or not reviews that United had talked to potential replacements for him was disrespectful, Ten Hag mentioned: “I don’t know if they’ve performed this. I can’t reply this.
“I don’t should make this resolution. Within the final decade there weren’t so many trophies and finals for this membership.”
Beating a Metropolis workforce that clinched an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League final weekend was undoubtedly a feather in Ten Hag’s cap.
The Dutchman, who ended United’s six-year trophy drought by successful the League Cup final season, might take credit score for an astute game-plan and he admitted it was a candy success within the circumstances.
“For those who play at this degree in opposition to one of the best workforce on the earth, then I’m very glad,” he mentioned.
“The FA Cup was completely one on my bucket listing. It’s a big trophy. I’m so glad we received as a result of it was a workforce efficiency.
“After I took over it was a multitude at United. We are going to go together with ups and downs however the workforce performs with an id.
“We’re precisely the place we must be. We’ve values within the squad, the workforce is progressing. Two trophies in three years isn’t unhealthy. Three finals as properly, however I’m not happy.”
Ten Hag seems to have the assist of his gamers, with Lisandro Martinez lifting him into the air in celebration when the ultimate whistle sounded, earlier than he was embraced by lots of his gamers.
Ten Hag was cheered to the rafters by United followers when he held up the Cup within the Royal field, kissing it and repeatedly shouting “sure” as he gestured in direction of the celebrating mass of purple within the Wembley sunshine.
If Ten Hag has earned a reprieve, he made it clear extra funding within the squad is required to compete with Metropolis in the long run.
“Whenever you don’t have the gamers out there, then you possibly can’t carry out,” he mentioned of United’s injury-plagued season.
“The depth within the squad is totally not ok. We strengthened the squad with our teaching however we’d like switch home windows to herald gamers who’re at all times out there.”
