Sir Jim Ratcliffe walks away and ignores question about Erik ten Hag as Manchester United boss sends damning message to board
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has refused to answer questions about Erik ten Hag’s future following Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph at Wembley.
Meanwhile, the Dutchman has warned club bosses he will “win trophies” elsewhere if he is sacked after just two seasons.
United beat rivals Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final thanks to goals from academy starlets Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo amid reports Ten Hag would be sacked regardless of the result.
Ratcliffe, who has taken control of football operations this season, was in attendance at the Home of Football and was asked whether or not he intended to let Ten Hag go.
According to the Independent, Ratcliffe heard the question and turned around before realizing it, then left the mixed zone where journalists were gathering.
A video has since surfaced on social media showing the INEOS boss, who also owns French club Nice, ignoring the question and rushing out.
And it appears the uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future has angered the former Ajax boss, who was combative in his post-match press conference.
Ten Hag, who won last season’s Carabao Cup final, said: “I’m in a project and we are exactly where we want to be.
“We are building a team and when I took over it was chaos at Man United. We are now on the right track to building a team for the future.
“There will be ups and downs, but you see, the team develops, the team wins and at the end of the day it’s about winning trophies.
“The team also plays according to an identity, but you need the players to be available. You need a strong team in top-level football, especially when you play in England and Europe.
“The Premier League is so competitive, so you need a really good team, and you need the players available in that team.
“There is still a lot of work to do, but we are exactly where we are. We have value in the team and we have high potential players who are progressing very well.
“The team is progressing and we are winning trophies. Two trophies in two years is not bad.
“Three finals is not bad, but we have to continue. I am not satisfied with it.
“We have to do better and if they don’t want me anymore I will go somewhere else to win trophies because that’s what I’ve done my whole career.”
British billionaire Ratcliffe has already made sweeping changes at Old Trafford since his arrival, including hiring a new CEO and sporting director, and seeking to replace Dan Ashworth at Newcastle.
Should the decision be made to relieve Ten Hag of his duties, former youth coach Kieran McKenna and Mauricio Pochettino, recently sacked by Chelsea, have been floated as possible replacements.
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