• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Tottenham decided against appointing Erik ten Hag as manager for two reasons before his move to Man Utd

Home> Football> Football News> Man Utd

Published 12:11 23 Jan 2024 GMT

Tottenham decided against appointing Erik ten Hag as manager for two reasons before his move to Man Utd

Erik ten Hag was interviewed by Spurs in the summer of 2021.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Tottenham Hotspur decided against appointing Erik ten Hag as their replacement for Jose Mourinho, a year before he took the job at Manchester United.

The North London club held talks with then-Ajax manager Ten Hag in the summer of 2021 but he failed to convince the Spurs hierarchy in an underwhelming interview.

They instead decided to hire Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked by the Premier League side after only four months in charge.

Advert

So why did they opt against Ten Hag? According to the Daily Mail, he was 'too bland' in his interview and made a demand that puzzled the board.

He was reportedly insistent on bringing just one coach with him, Sjors Ultee, rather than an entire backroom staff, which is also said to have raised eyebrows amongst chiefs.

And as pointed out in a recent report from The Athletic, senior executives at Spurs had concerns over 'Ten Hag’s command of English and ability to communicate ideas'.

A year later and the Dutchman was appointed as Manchester United manager after he impressed directors John Murtough and Darren Fletcher with his philosophy and vision for the club.

Advert

United were said to be positive with talks and offered Ten Hag a three-year deal.

“During the past four years at Ajax, Erik has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe, renowned for his team’s attractive, attacking football and commitment to youth," Murtough said when the news was announced.

“In our conversations with Erik leading up to this appointment, we were deeply impressed with his long-term vision for returning Manchester United to the level we want to be competing at, and his drive and determination to achieve that."

Image credit: Getty
Image credit: Getty

Advert

After concerns were raised about Ten Hag's communication in that Spurs interview, he later played down suggestions he was taking English lessons after being linked with the job in March 2022.

But his commitment to being fluent in the language was clear in the opening weeks of his reign and beyond.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, Manchester United

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack is a Senior Journalist who enjoys a long read. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day, and has interviewed a handful of FM's finest, including Freddy Adu, Supat Rungratsamee and Mika Aaritalo.

X

@jackkenmare_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • 7 hours ago

    Erik ten Hag to get rid of Bayer Leverkusen player for the second time after selling him to the club while in charge of Man Utd

    Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag looks poised to get rid of the same player for two different clubs.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Fans lose their minds and say 'announce Yamal' after Barcelona superstar spotted in Premier League club's shirt

    Lamine Yamal sent fans wild this week after being seen in an iconic English football shirt.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson ripped into former Man Utd star for what he allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to do

    Sir Alex Ferguson lectured the former Manchester United player following the incident with Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Football
  • 11 hours ago

    Football legend reveals he was on the verge of signing for Man Utd after idolising Old Trafford star for years

    The player represented the likes of Barcelona, Inter and AC Milan during his career but never got the chance to play for Manchester United.

    Football
  • Erik ten Hag to get rid of Bayer Leverkusen player for the second time after selling him to the club while in charge of Man Utd
  • Erik ten Hag has already decided his next move after leaving Manchester United
  • Erik ten Hag reveals the six-word message he said to Man Utd players in dressing-room speech after Tottenham humiliation
  • Shock contender 'emerges' to replace Erik ten Hag as Man Utd manager that hasn't been mentioned yet