Ten Hag claims to be in agreement with Man Utd management and to prefer short contracts

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, stated in an interview released on Friday that he would rather have a contract extension through 2026 than one with a longer duration. The Dutchman received the extension last month.

After United finished ninth in the Premier League last season—their lowest ever—there had been rumors that he might be fired. But in the FA Cup final, a surprise win over winners Manchester City gave the 54-year-old Ten Hag a lifeline.

Ten Hag’s contract was going to expire at the end of the 2024–25 season, but after looking at possible replacements, United’s new administration, led by British billionaire and INEOS chairman Jim Ratcliffe, decided to keep him on for an additional year.

Ten Hag stated to The Guardian that he was not in need of the longer-term contract’s financial security.

The former Ajax boss said, “No, I wanted this,” while on United’s preseason tour in Los Angeles. “In my opinion, two years in football is a long time, and in that time, we will be able to see our progress built upon.”

“I have enough security in my life and in my career and I have enough belief that I know when I have a team I will achieve success.”

The Dutchman expressed his desire to work with the management to help the club succeed, saying he felt upbeat and in line with them.

“We have decent individuals. They will contribute to more success with highly skilled people, and I don’t see anything negative,” Ten Hag stated. “I feel that we built something and that the people who are around me are in the same boat.”

On August 10, United takes on Manchester City in the Community Shield. On August 16, they host Fulham to begin their Premier League campaign.