Erik ten Hag planned to be Manchester United’s manager for the next 10 years, prior to his sacking last year, according to former first-team coach Benni McCarthy.
The Dutchman was relieved of his duties in October as United languished 13th place in the Premier League table.
The decision brought an end to his two-year spell at Old Trafford, during which he led the club to success in both the FA and EFL Cups.
McCarthy, 47, who was appointed as Kenya’s new head coach this week, worked under Ten Hag for two years, but departed in June 2024 before this season kicked off.
McCarthy explained that he is grateful for the time he spent under Ten Hag, hailing the former United manager as ‘dedicated’ and ‘passionate’, as he revealed the former Ajax boss planned to stay at Old Trafford for the next decade.
‘I was given an incredible opportunity to work with one of the biggest and best clubs in the world under the guidance of Erik ten Hag,’ McCarthy told BBC Sport Africa.
Erik ten Hag planned to stay at Man United for 10 years, as per former coach Benni McCarthy
Ten Hag was given the boot back in October as the Red Devils sat 13th place in the league table
During the Dutchman’s two full seasons at the club, he led United to EFL Cup and FA Cup glory
‘I learned utmost professionalism because the manager I worked under was not just a disciplinarian, but he was the best and one of the most unbelievable professionals I’ve ever seen in the game.
‘Extremely hard-working, very dedicated, very passionate, he planned on being the Manchester United coach for the next 10 years. That was his vision.’
McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time top goalscorer, issued a glass-half-full verdict on his two-year spell at United with Ten Hag.
Despite United logging their worst finish in Premier League history in 2023-24, McCarthy insisted he was proud to be part of the coaching setup to bring the Red Devils the first pieces of silverware since 2017.
He added: ‘Everyone is talking about how bad, how terrible Manchester United is. We still managed to win the FA Cup, we still managed to win the Carabao Cup. I was proud that I was part of that regime.’
Although he maintains warm memories of his time at United, McCarthy went on to confess he has no explanation as to why numerous big-name coaches have failed to avert the club’s downward spiral since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013.
‘Honest to god, I don’t know what the issue is,’ the former Ajax striker admitted.
‘It is just such a huge football club and the problems just seem to go on and on – and I don’t know how they’re going to resolve it.’
Outside of cup success, Ten Hag led United to their worst Premier League finish ever last term
Despite United’s struggles in 2023-24, McCarthy insisted he was proud of his time at the club
Ten Hag recently revealed that his next career step could be entirely away from football
Since packing up his office at Old Trafford, Ten Hag has decided to stay closer to home when it came to keeping busy. He recently revealed that his next career step may be in another role in the footballing world, or even entirely away from it.
‘There are so many other things I could do,’ Ten Hag said in a podcast appearance with SEG Stories.
‘Maybe in football, in a new position as a manager. That’s an option. And maybe something completely different.
‘I’ve been working with my brothers lately. We have our own company. Or rather: they have their own company.
‘But we also run a company together with our father. That’s also something I love to do I can now give that more attention and it’s also a lot of fun.’
The Ten Hag family are among the most wealthy in the Netherlands due to their successful real estate company. That was set up by Ten Hag’s dad, Hennie, back in 1967 and is still going strong.
The family also owns several finance firms, with Ten Hag’s brothers Michel and Rico running them.
But since his exit from United, which came following defeat by West Ham, Ten Hag has been getting stuck in to help his dad and brothers.
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