Ten Hag Says He Knew Manchester United Spoke to Other Managers before Deciding to Keep Him

20 September 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions during the UEFA Champions League Group A soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United at the Allianz Arena. (dpa)
20 September 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions during the UEFA Champions League Group A soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United at the Allianz Arena. (dpa)
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Ten Hag Says He Knew Manchester United Spoke to Other Managers before Deciding to Keep Him

20 September 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions during the UEFA Champions League Group A soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United at the Allianz Arena. (dpa)
20 September 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions during the UEFA Champions League Group A soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United at the Allianz Arena. (dpa)

Erik ten Hag says he was aware that Manchester United had spoken to other managers before the Premier League club decided to stick with the Dutchman after a difficult season.

Ten Hag said he was on holiday in Ibiza when members of the United hierarchy arrived to inform him they wanted him to remain as United manager.

Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel and England manager Gareth Southgate were among those linked with the position after United finished eighth in the Premier League last season.

Speaking on Dutch TV channel NOS, Ten Hag said: “The club management came to me while I was on holiday in Ibiza. They suddenly showed up on my doorstep and told me they wanted to continue with me.

“As in any organization, it is wise to evaluate. Manchester United did that too. The new owner (Jim Ratcliffe) is new to football, he has taken his time.

“They have indeed told me that they have spoken to other managers. That is not even allowed in the Netherlands."

The two parties are in the process of agreeing a new contract after Ten Hag engineered a stunning victory for United over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

“We have had good discussions with each other, various topics have been discussed,” he said. “The conclusion is that we will continue together and that they will extend my contract. We still have to reach an agreement on that.”



PFL Announces Fight Card for Riyadh's 'Battle of the Giants'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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PFL Announces Fight Card for Riyadh's 'Battle of the Giants'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has finalized the fight card for its highly anticipated "Battle of the Giants" event, set to take place in Riyadh on October 19, SPA reported.
The main event will feature a heavyweight clash between mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Francis Ngannou and reigning PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira. This title fight will determine the inaugural PFL Super Champion.
In the co-main event, women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg will face off against Larissa Pacheco, the two-division PFL champion, in a highly anticipated match to crown the greatest fighter in MMA history.
The card also includes a rematch between middleweight world champion Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards, who also faced off in 2023, with Eplin securing victory via technical knockout.
Former featherweight world champion A. J. McKee will square off against rising star Paul Hughes in another exciting matchup. Hughes, with an impressive professional record of 11 wins and one loss, is considered a dangerous contender in the featherweight division.
The "Battle of the Giants" promises to be an action-packed event featuring top-tier MMA talent.