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.”



UEFA Bans Barcelona Fans from One Away Game in Champions League

Barcelona's Spanish forward #19 Lamine Yamal reacts during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on September 25, 2024. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish forward #19 Lamine Yamal reacts during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on September 25, 2024. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)
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UEFA Bans Barcelona Fans from One Away Game in Champions League

Barcelona's Spanish forward #19 Lamine Yamal reacts during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on September 25, 2024. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish forward #19 Lamine Yamal reacts during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on September 25, 2024. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)

UEFA banned Barcelona on Friday from selling tickets to fans for its next away game in the Champions League for “racism and/or other discriminatory conduct” during a game at Monaco.
The disciplinary sanction will apply on Nov. 6 when Barcelona plays at Red Star Belgrade, The Associated Press reported.
UEFA did not specify details of the misconduct during a 2-1 loss at Monaco last week in the teams’ opening game in the new format Champions League opening phase.
The ticket sales ban activated a probationary sanction UEFA ordered for Barcelona last season. In April, fans made Nazi salutes at Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League game.
UEFA said its disciplinary judges also fined Barcelona 10,000 euros ($11,000) and ordered a new probationary sanction for a repeat offense in the next year. That will activate another ticket sales ban for one away game in a European competition.