Erik ten Hag is a man in demand after keeping his job at Manchester United. (Image: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has reportedly landed himself a new role in football this summer as well as keeping his current position as manager of Manchester United. Just days after it was confirmed the 54-year-old would lead his club into the 2024/25 season, he’s not set to work as a pundit during Euro 2024.
According to posts on social media, Ten Hag will make his studio debut on Dutch television tonight ahead of England’s opening match of the tournament against Serbia.
The follows his native Holland’s 2-1 win over Poland, while Denmark play Slovenia at 5pm.
Ten Hag’s insight into the English club game is likely to be utilised. And he’ll inevitably be asked about one star in particular, Kobbie Mainoo, who earned a call from Gareth Southgate after being introduced into the United fold by Ten Hag this season.
Luke Shaw is also expected to start for the Three Lions, despite missing most of the 2023/24 Premier League season with injury. There’s no Marcus Rashford though, amid speculation he will leave the club this summer after being linked with a big money move to PSG.
How the ex-Ajax coach approaches his analysis is likely to be viewed with interest though, given the frosty relationship he’s endured with the English media since arriving in the summer 2022. And in the past few months, he’s grown increasingly irate at the frequent questions over his future, constantly insisting hue was only focused on the job in hand.
Ten Hag is likely to review the Holland v Poland game for Dutch television. (Image: Getty)
He also hit out following United’s FA Cup semi-final win over Coventry. Despite going through on penalties, the Red Devils received intense criticism after letting a 3-0 lead slip against the Championship team, and were only saved from defeat when VAR ruled out a late winner for the Sky Blues.
Asked in a subsequent press conference after being asked if he was embarrassed by the display, Ten Hag replied: “”No, I absolutely can’t understand the reaction from the media. You asked the question ‘Was it embarrassing?’ No, the reaction from you was embarrassing.
“We were very lucky in the end with the penalties, but we made it to the final and that is a huge achievement. Twice in two years is magnificent. So, the comments are a disgrace.”
Ten Hag was expected to be sacked irrespective of the result in the final. But the 2-1 shock win over rivals Manchester City seemingly saved his job, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly ready to offer him an extension to his current deal that expires in 2025.
However, the exact responsibilities that will be handed to the Dutchman remain unclear. He’s set to take a back seat on transfer dealings, with new technical director Jason Wilcox director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves expected to oversee deals this summer.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1911858/Erik-ten-Hag-Man-Utd-Euro-2024