Ex-Chelsea player Craig Burley has criticised Ten Hag for believing he is the best man to lead the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag has been rebuked for thinking he is the perfect choice for the Manchester United job.
20:09 - 16.06.2024
Manchester United disturbed my holiday — Ten Hag opens up on Old Trafford future
Erik ten Hag has opened up on his future as Manchester United boss after the recent post-season evaluation.
19:34 - 12.06.2024
Erik ten Hag: 3 reasons Manchester United did not sack Dutch manager
The Red Devils opted against dismissing the 2024 FA Cup winner despite previous reports pointing to a parting of ways.
What Ten Hag said
The Dutchman was expected to be dismissed after the FA Cup final regardless of the result, with the club reported to show interest in Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi.
However, Manchester United opted to keep the former Ajax man in charge for the final year of his contract, with reports suggesting Ten Hag could be handed a new deal on fresh terms.
Speaking on Dutch TV as a pundit for Euro 2024, the 54-year-old shed light on how the process played out.
“‘It was a turbulent season, but it is never a dull moment in Manchester,” Ten Hag told Dutch TV show Studio Fußball.
“Last week they suddenly came to me, that they would like to continue. As in every organisation it is usual to evaluate, the new owners took their time to do that as well.
“They told me, but it was no secret that they spoke with multiple candidates. In Holland it is ‘not done’, but the rules in England are different. They drew the conclusion that they already had the best manager.
PAY ATTENTION: Join Pulse Sports Nigeria WhatsApp Channel
“They came to Ibiza. We held good conversations, about different subjects. We decided to continue and extend the contract, but we still have to agree. Some things need to happen before that happens.”
Those remarks were met with derision by former Chelsea and retired Scotland international Craig Burley, who questioned Ten Hag’s pride in himself.
“How can you have any respect for yourself in a job if your bosses are out there publicly (courting potential replacements)? Publicly they have done it,” said Burley on ESPN.
“They have touted themselves around everybody and now he is coming out with more nonsense.
“I’m actually embarrassed for him.”
What comes next?
The decision to keep Ten Hag means the Red Devils can approach the transfer market with clarity as they prepare for the 2024-25 campaign.