'The plan is HUGE and we only have a short time': Erik ten Hag lays out his Man United blueprint to 'end the era' of Liverpool and City dominance with Ronaldo involved... but no guarantees for Maguire
- Erik ten Hag sat down for his first press conference as Manchester United boss
- The Dutchman was confident he can knock Liverpool and Man City off perch
- Ten Hag insists Cristiano Ronaldo will still add goals to his side next term
- Ex-Ajax boss praised Harry Maguire but offered no guarantees on his captaincy
Erik ten Hag has declared that he can break Manchester City's and Liverpool's duopoly of English football while Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp are still in power.
Ten Hag was unveiled as United's new manager on Monday, replacing interim boss Ralf Rangnick after a turbulent season at Old Trafford. He will be assisted by Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren.
City and Liverpool fought out another dramatic title race on Sunday after dominating the domestic game again this season, finishing more than 30 points clear of United who languished in sixth place.
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Ten Hag was asked if he can break the stranglehold established by United's two main rivals while Guardiola and Klopp are still in situ, and replied: 'I think, yeah.
'In this moment I admire them both. Liverpool and Manchester City play fantastic football, but you will always see an era can come to an end. I look forward to a battle with them and I'm sure other clubs will want to do that.
'I don't see this as a risk. I think this club has a great history and let's make a future. I'm really excited to do that with the people around in the club – work hard, be 100 per cent committed and I'm sure we will have success.
'I have been to Manchester before but this is the first time at Old Trafford. I'm impressed. It feels like my home already. I cannot wait for the first match and the stands are full. It will be an exciting experience.
'I have seen a lot in the past. Manchester United have a lot of generations who are really successful. There is always a fantastic ambience and I look forward to that experience. In every country I have a favourite club and in England it's Manchester United.'
However, when asked for a timeframe on a title challenge from United, he said: 'I don't think about that at this moment.
'I'm thinking that this is a project and it takes time. We want to win every game. We go from game to game and then we'll see.
'The confidence is that I have a good feeling with the people around, I have a good feeling from the meetings. We have a plan and now it's about getting the plan done.'
Then repeating what he had said in his first interview, he added: 'The season before, this squad was second in the Premier League and there's huge potential. If we improve, if we can work with them, we can get better results.'
'We have to set clear purposes, you need people who have the positive attitude.
'Players dictate the way of play, when I have the idea, I will line-up my best team and get the best out of them to make them feel comfortable. It is about getting success together.'
Ten Hag will wait until pre-season to speak with the players, although many will be leaving the club this summer. He confirmed that he wants Cristiano Ronaldo to stay after finishing as United's top scorer with 24 goals this season.
However, he was less emphatic about the possibility of Harry Maguire remaining as captain after a difficult season for the England defender.
'Next season is a different season, but he did a great job,' said Ten Hag. 'He's a great player and he achieved a lot already. I'm looking forward to working with him.'
Ten Hag also confirmed countryman and former United boss Louis van Gaal was among the people he had spoken to before accepting the job.
But he appeared to reject the current Holland boss' assessment that United are a 'commercial club' and that he would therefore be better 'going to a football club'.
'The reason [I took the job] is, although there is a fantastic history, is the high potential for the future - that's why I'm here,' ten Hag added.
'I've heard [what van Gaal said], but I draw my own line. I'm convinced that will not be the case, I spoke with directors about it — football is one, two, three in this club.
'Every club these days is commercial. Every club needs it, you need the revenue to be at the top. But football is one, two, three.'
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Re-live Sportsmail's live blog on Erik ten Hag's unveiling as the new Manchester United manager.
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Kishan Vaghela Host commentator
That's all from ten Hag in his first press conference as United boss.
Plenty to dissect....
'We had a fantastic squad in Ajax, I have a great relationship with him and I am looking forward to meeting him again on the pitch.'
'He did a great job [this season], he is a great player, he has achieved a lot with his contribution to Man United.'
"They both know how to get success. They have both won titles and trophies in their careers and that's why they're here. Yes, recruitment is an important part and I'd like to work with them [the club]."
Asked if Ronaldo can fit in to his style, he says 'yes'. Asked what he could bring, he replies 'goals.'
Succinct is one way of putting it from ten Hag.
"The reason is, although there is a fantastic history, is the high potential for the future - that's why I'm here. I don't speak with the players now, they need a break, they need a break to reflect, but I'm looking forward and I can't wait to start."
"It's fantastic. I've already met big coaches and big teams in the Premier League and I know how to deal with that. But it's clear, the Premier League is the biggest league in the world I think and I'm looking forward to battling with them."
Ten Hag confirms he has spoken to people about the Premier League to get 'an idea', but stopped short of saying who.
'We have to set clear purposes, you need people who have the positive attitude. Players dictate the way of play, when I have the idea, I will line-up my best team and get the best out of them to make them feel comfortable. It is about getting success together.'
"I don't see it as a risk. This club has a great history, now let's make the future! I am excited to do that with the people around and with the new staff. We will go from day to day, 100% committed and I am sure we will get success."
"The initial steps, we are constructing the staff, players and the pre-season plan. We have a strategy and a concept and we will work on that.
We always bring in every club, we think what is in the spirit of the club, that is what we want to know. I have to bring a dynamic, you have to demand top to get to the top.
"We are in the process before the season starts. I am still in the process of observing and analysing, I will set conclusions, but I keep it for myself.
"The confidence is I have a good feeling with the people around and the meetings. We have a plan and now it is to co-operate and achieve the success we want to. The plan is huge, you will see."
"I am happy to be here. I look forward to work in this club. Today I feel welcome, this is my home and I want to be a success."
Ten Hag shakes hands with the various journalists in attendance, smiling as he does so after entering the room.
He looks fairly relaxed too. Here we go...
We're all set for the Dutchman to face the questions from various media outlets for the first time as United boss.
Transfer plans and what he saw yesterday are no doubt going to be key topics.
The Red Devils closed a torrid campaign on Sunday with a 1-0 defeat away at Crystal Palace - in front of their new Dutch manager - on the final day of the season.
West Ham's defeat against Brighton spared United the ignominy of playing in next season's Europa Conference League but they still finished 11 points behind fifth-place Arsenal and 13 adrift of the Champions League spots.
Van der Gaag worked as Ten Hag's assistant at Ajax where the two men won three Dutch titles together.
Ten Hag was McClaren's No.2 at FC Twente and was adamant the former England manager joined him at United to offer advice on the club and English football in general.
Speaking in his first interview as United's new manager, Ten Hag highlighted the 'potential' in a team that finished second in the Premier League last season but endured a dismal 2021-22 campaign, which resulted in their lowest points tally.
The Dutchman, who has signed a three-year contract with an option for a fourth, said his ambition at the club was to play 'dominant and dictating football' and to bring entertainment back to Old Trafford after a tumultuous period on and off the pitch.
Sportsmail's LIAM MORGAN has the details.
Erik ten Hag's tenure as Man United manager begins in earnest today, and the Dutchman is set to be unveiled in a press conference at midday.
The Dutchman was in attendance to watch his new side suffer defeat at Crystal Palace on Sunday, confirming a sixth place finish only due to West Ham's loss.
The ex-Ajax boss now faces a monumental challenge to turn their fortunes around. Sportsmail will keep you up to date on what he has to say in his first appearance in front of the media as the United boss.
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