Part 1: Erik ten Hag’s first interview as Man Utd manager

Ten Hag has a vision for the club and has already got to work, putting wheels in motion for his pre-season campaign and plans for the 2022/23 season.

During a break from those meticulous preparations, club reporter Pien Meulensteen sat down with Erik to conduct a feature-length interview that digs deeper into his ambitions, mindset and philosophy.

As you can read and watch below, the Dutchman is brimming with excitement for the future and speaks enthusiastically about a brave new era at Old Trafford.

Erik, welcome to Manchester United. How do you feel about starting this new chapter in your career?
“I would say the word ‘exciting’. I really look forward to doing this job, at this club with massive history, and we want to restore it where it belongs.”

What excites you most about this opportunity of managing this club?
“I think many [reasons]. First of all, we want to make the fans proud. Second, of course we are in this moment, the current situation is obviously not that good. It’s a big challenge. I want to build and construct a team who are battling for each other, who are unified and who will get results. Also we are playing in the Theatre of Dreams. We want to entertain. But in the end, the intention is to play fantastic football. If we can’t play fantastic football, we still have to win.”

It was only last week your last game at Ajax, and you’re already here in England. What made you want to come so quickly? You didn’t take a break, you literally came straight after finishing with Ajax…
“Before a season, you have to prepare and when you are in a club, I will say it’s a continual process. You’re working on next season and still you are in the current season. But we didn’t have that time now, and now we close the season and I’m coming over to meet people and to roll out the strategy, to prepare pre-season, prepare staff and prepare a squad.”