Erik ten Hag has spoken out about the issues with Manchester United’s football structure. He has made it clear that he would not have taken on the role of manager if the club’s structure was not right. United have been struggling this season, with eight losses out of 15 matches and a nine-point gap from fourth place in the Premier League. They have also been knocked out of the League Cup and are at risk of not progressing in the Champions League. The pressure is on Ten Hag to turn things around, but the club’s structure has been heavily criticized under the ownership of the Glazer family.
There have been recent changes in the club’s structure, with Richard Arnold taking over as chief executive and John Murtough becoming the football director. Murtough has made new hires, including Steve Brown as head of recruitment operations and Dominic Jordan as the director of data science. Matt Hargreaves also joined as the director of football negotiations. However, there are expectations that the club’s structure will change further with impending investment from the Ineos Group.
Ten Hag believes that the blame for the club’s failings should not solely be placed on the managers. He mentioned that difficult periods can happen, but when the team sticks together, they can overcome them. He emphasized that he would not have taken the job if he didn’t believe in the club’s structure.
Despite the team’s struggles, Ten Hag has the support of the fans, who have directed their frustration towards the Glazers and some players. The recent substitutions of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were even cheered by the fans. However, the manager is ultimately held accountable for the team’s performance, and United have already lost more games than they did at the time of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal.
Ten Hag is fully dedicated to turning things around for United. He is focused on preparing the team and individuals, constantly thinking about how to improve their performance. He takes responsibility for the team’s results and trusts the players to fight and show their spirit.
In conclusion, Ten Hag’s comments shed light on the importance of a strong football structure at Manchester United. He believes that the club’s structure must be right for success to be achieved. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to improving the team’s performance and is confident in the players’ abilities.