Coach Erik ten Hag is not afraid of being fired by Man Utd after winning the FA Cup, but also blames the media for treating him poorly.

In the last six seasons in charge, Ten Hag always won at least one title, whether with Ajax or Man Utd. This season, it seemed like he would break his streak of glory, but the “Red Devils” suddenly defeated Man City 2-1 in the FA Cup final on May 25. This is the first FA Cup the team has won since 2016, also under a Dutch coach, Louis van Gaal. Five days after winning the Cup, Van Gaal was fired by the team.

In the post-match press conference, when asked if he was worried about being fired by Man Utd, like his predecessor eight years ago, Ten Hag said: “If Man Utd no longer needs me, I will go somewhere else and win the title, like has done throughout our career. Two years, three finals and two titles are not bad results for us.”

also blamed the media for treating him poorly.

In the last six seasons in charge, Ten Hag always won at least one title, whether with Ajax or Man Utd. This season, it seemed like he would break his streak of glory, but the “Red Devils” suddenly defeated Man City 2-1 in the FA Cup final on May 25. This is the first FA Cup the team has won since 2016, also under a Dutch coach, Louis van Gaal. Five days after winning the Cup, Van Gaal was fired by the team.

In the post-match press conference, when asked if he was worried about being fired by Man Utd, like his predecessor eight years ago, Ten Hag said: “If Man Utd no longer needs me, I will go somewhere else and win the title, like has done throughout our career. Two years, three finals and two titles are not bad results for us.”

Coach Erik ten Hag celebrates the FA Cup with captain Bruno Fernandes, after Man Utd beat Man City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, London, England, in the final on May 25, 2024. Photo: Observer

Coach Erik ten Hag celebrates the FA Cup with captain Bruno Fernandes, after Man Utd beat Man City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, London, England, in the final on May 25, 2024. Photo: Observer

Ten Hag has led Man Utd since the summer of 2022, when the team parted ways with Ralf Rangnick. He brought the “Red Devils” to third place in the Premier League, won the League Cup and reached the FA Cup final in his first season. This season the team was in decline, ranked last in the Champions League table, eighth in the Premier League, but still managed to end the season with the FA Cup. “When I took the job, the team was in a mess,” the 54-year-old coach added. “Now we are making progress, starting to win titles. But I am still not satisfied, because Man Utd must do better.”

Ten Hag’s happy state during the press conference turned tense when a reporter asked: “You said that the team is on the right track, even though it is only eighth in the Premier League. Do you not understand why people Do you doubt him?”

The Dutch coach responded: “Sorry, but I have to say that you don’t have football knowledge, or don’t know how to manage the team. When important players are missing, the team cannot achieve good results. When The players are not here, how can I coach them? It’s simple. If you don’t understand, I will go somewhere else and continue to win titles.”

This is not the first time Ten Hag has considered injury as the reason why Man Utd is in the lowest position in the club’s history in the Premier League. In the 2023-2024 season, they have up to 45 injuries, the most in the tournament, including pillars like Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane. Alternatives such as Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia or Victor Lindelof often have to sit out because of their physical condition. As for Malacia, he hasn’t even practiced with the team once this season, let alone appeared on the field.

The 2-1 victory helped Man Utd end Man City’s 35-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. The “Red Devils” also caused midfielder Rodri to receive his first defeat in 74 matches. And Ten Hag became the first coach to defeat Pep Guardiola in a domestic Cup final in England.