Erik Ten Hag planned to be Manchester United manager for the next 10 years, before his dismissal last year, according to the former coach of the first team Benni McCarthy.
The Dutchman was relieved of his duties in October while United in Langui in 13th place in the Premier League table.
The decision ended his two -year fate in Old Trafford, during which he led the club to succeed in the FA and EFL Cups.
McCarthy, 47, who was appointed Kenya head coach this week, worked under Ten Hag for two years, but left in June 2024 before the start of this season.
McCarthy explained that he was grateful for the time he had spent under ten hag, welcoming the former director united as “devoted” and “passionate” because he revealed that the former boss of Ajax planned to stay in Old Trafford for the next decade.
“I had an incredible opportunity to work with one of the biggest and best clubs in the world under the direction of Erik Ten Hag,” McCarthy told BBC Sport Africa.
Erik Ten Hag planned to stay in Man United for 10 years, according to former coach Benni McCarthy
Ten Hag received the boot in October while the Red Devils sat in 13th place in the League table
During the two complete seasons of the Dutch at the club, he led United to EFL Cup and FA Cup Glory
“I learned the greatest professionalism because the manager I worked was not only a disciplinary, but he was the best and one of the most incredible professionals I have ever seen in the game.
“Extremely hard, very devoted, very passionate, he plans to be the Manchester United coach for the next 10 years. It was his vision.
McCarthy, the top scorer of all time in South Africa, published a verdict of half of the glassware on his two -year fate in United with Ten Hag.
Although United recorded its worst finish in the history of the Premier League in 2023-24, McCarthy insisted that he was proud to be part of the coaching configuration to bring to the Red Devils the first silverware pieces since 2017.
He added: “Everyone talks how bad Manchester United is, how terrible Manchester United is. We still managed to win the FA Cup, we still managed to win the Carabao Cup. I was proud to be part of this diet.
Although he maintains warm memories of his stay in United, McCarthy continued by admitting that he has no explanation on the reason why many major renowned coaches have not diverted the club’s descending spiral since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
“Honest to God, I don’t know what the problem is,” admitted the former Ajax striker.
“It’s just a huge football club and the problems seem to continue again and again – and I don’t know how they will solve it.”
Apart from the success of the cup, Ten Hag led United to his worst Premier League final during the last quarter
Despite the difficulties of United in 2023-24, McCarthy insisted that he was proud of his stay at the club
Ten Hag recently revealed that his next career stage could be entirely far from football
Since the packaging of his office in Old Trafford, Ten Hag has decided to stay closer to his home when it came to staying busy. He recently revealed that his next career stage could be in another role in the world of football, or even completely far from that.
“There are so many other things I could do,” said Ten Hag in an appearance in the podcast with Seg Stories.
“Maybe in football, in a new manager of manager. It’s an option. And maybe something completely different.
“I have worked with my brothers lately. We have our own business. Or rather: they have their own business.
“But we also run a business with our father. It is also something that I like, I can now pay more attention and it is also very fun.
The Ten Hag family is among the richest in the Netherlands due to their prosperous real estate business. This was created by the father of Ten Hag, Hennie, in 1967 and is still strong.
The family also has several financial companies, with the Ten Hag brothers Michel and Rico leaders.
But since his release from United, who came after the defeat of West Ham, Ten Hag has been stuck to help his father and brothers.