Erik ten Hag has outlined his priorities at Manchester United are to create a winning culture, build a strong team and to maximise the potential of his players.
United’s two-goal victory at Leeds on Sunday brought Ten Hag’s side to within five points of Premier League leaders Arsenal. The Gunners have two games in hand but the Dutchman has revolutionised the Red Devils this campaign.
United are into the final of the EFL Cup – as they look to end their six-year drought for silverware – alongside reaching the Fifth Round of the FA Cup and are facing Barcelona in the Europa League knockout stage. They are the only European club who are still competing on four fronts this season.
Ten Hag discussed his work at United so far at the recent Elite Coaches Forum at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. The Dutchman spoke about his happiness at his first eight months in the post to date as he outlined his aims for the future.
Speaking to UEFA.com, the former Ajax boss said: "I'm fine and I'm happy there. I was looking for a new challenge and Manchester United was a big club, but obviously less successful [in the] last couple of years, so there's huge talent to restore that big club [to] where they belong.
"It's not only about training the team. It's about changing the culture, getting a winning culture, and that's what I aim for, but when I say 'I', no: 'We'. We have to do it together. Manchester United is a great club, [there are] big fans all over the world, it's a very global club. I'm really happy to be there, to be part of it. We want to be successful, but it's got to be long term."
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Ten Hag continued: "Every day, I expect the best from myself. I want to challenge myself. And, together with my coaches, I want to get the best out of the players. We want to create a good team but I also want to maximise the performances of the players.
"We work 24/7, that's clear, because you never get rid of football. You never get rid of your team, but you also need to step back at times. I like to jog or bike or to play golf. Or to go to restaurants or the cinema. I also like to go on holiday."
When speaking more of how he spent his down-time away from football, the boss added: "Of course, I don't have a lot of time for it. I like to go to Switzerland or Austria and, when the weather's nice, Italy or Spain. But football is always in your head. It's in your mind. You work with it all the time."
Ten Hag won six trophies during his time at the helm of Ajax, including three Eredivisie titles, and is now aiming to win United’s first trophy since 2017. He has won 26 of his 36 matches at the helm so far, a win percentage rate of 72.2.
