Erik ten Hag has reassured Manchester United fans that he wants to play entertaining football.
Ten Hag has joined United on a three-year contract with the option of an additional year. Ten Hag will speak at his first United first conference later today and he'll answer questions from the media just one day after United lost against Crystal Palace.
United confirmed the appointments of Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren for Ten Hag's backroom staff on Monday morning. Van der Gaag and McClaren, who were in attendance with Ten Hag at United's final game of the season at Crystal Palace, have been appointed as his assistant coaches. Both coaches have previously enjoyed successful spells with Ten Hag.
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Ten Hag has been interviewed by club media ahead of his press conference and he admitted he was excited about his new role.
“I would say the word exciting," Ten Hag told United's in-house media. "I really look forward to doing this job, at this club with massive history, and we want to restore it where it belongs. I think many [reasons it's exciting]. First of all, we want to make the fans proud.
"Second, of course we are in this moment, the current situation is obviously not that good. It’s a big challenge. I want to build and construct a team who are battling for each other, who are unified and who will get results.
"Also we are playing in the Theatre of Dreams. We want to entertain, but in the end, the intention is to play fantastic football. If we can’t play fantastic football, we still have to win. Before a season, you have to prepare and when you are in a club, I will say it’s a continual process. You’re working on next season and still you are in the current season.
"But we didn’t have that time now, and now we close the season and I’m coming over to meet people and to roll out the strategy, to prepare pre-season, prepare staff and prepare a squad."
Ten Hag also outlined his vision for United on the back of the club's worst season for decades.
"It’s first: accept the current situation but also know one year ago, this club, this team was second in the Premier League," he added.
"There’s potential and now it’s up to us to get that out. It’s a process, it will take time but I’m convinced we will come to that point where we get success. We have to work hard and it has to be based on the right philosophy and strategy.”
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