Erik ten Hag has revealed he was warned not to become Manchester United manager because it was deemed an “impossible” job.
The 53-year-old Dutchman moved to Old Trafford from Ajax in 2022 but has come under pressure during his second season in the role.
United sit sixth in the Premier League table following Wednesday evening’s 2-1 win over Chelsea, nine points behind leaders Arsenal, while they have struggled in Europe.
“Everyone was telling me, ‘you can’t succeed in that job’,” Ten Hag told the United We Stand fanzine.
“They said it was impossible. Me? I wanted the challenge.
“I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but it was such a great club with such a great fanbase.
“People love Manchester United, or they are against Manchester United. I like clubs like this. Ajax was like this.”
Ten Hag ended the club’s six-year wait for silverware by lifting the Carabao Cup in February before securing a third-placed league finish.
However, his side are off the pace this term following six defeats from 15 league games, in addition to sitting bottom of their Champions League group with one match – at home to Bayern Munich next week – remaining.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here