📣 ETH's first press conference: demands, strategy, Ronaldo, captaincy | OneFootball

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Lewis Ambrose·23 May 2022

📣 ETH's first press conference: demands, strategy, Ronaldo, captaincy

Article image:📣 ETH's first press conference: demands, strategy, Ronaldo, captaincy

Erik ten Hag gave his first Manchester United interview earlier on Monday and has now faced the media for the first time in a press conference.

“Today I’m happy to meet you all and I’m really excited to be here,” he said.


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“It was a really warm welcome here at the club. I’m looking forward to working with you all. This is my home and I want to achieve success.

“The confidence is that I have a good feeling with the people around, I have a good feeling from the meetings. We have a plan and now it’s about getting the plan done.

“I think this club has a great history, and now let’s make a future.”

Speaking about what comes first, the Dutchman said he still has to analyse his squad but insists there is plenty of quality available to him.

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“I’m still in the process of analysing — I’m looking forward to working with these players. The season before, this squad was second in the Premier League so there’s huge potential

“We have a strategy and a concept. We will work on that. As manager I have to bring something to the club, a dynamic. If you want to be top you have to demand. That is what we will do. I have good feeling from people around now it’s about getting the plan done.”

Ten Hag insisted he “doesn’t see it as a risk” to join United but that he is not going to be drawn on when the club can target the Premier League title.

“I don’t think about that at this moment. I’m thinking that this is a project and it takes time. We want to win every game. We go from game to game and then we’ll see.

“I’ve already met big coaches and big teams in the Premier League and I know how to deal with that. But it’s clear, the Premier League is the biggest league in the world I think and I’m looking forward to battling with them.

“I admire them both, Manchester City and Liverpool. They both play fantastic football. But you will always see an era come to an end.

“I spoke with more people who have experience at this club. I spoke with Louis van Gaal. I was at the premiere of his movie. Finally I made my own line.”

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Looking ahead, Ten Hag is eager to push United on after his players have enjoyed a summer break.

“Although there is a fantastic history, is the high potential for the future — I don’t speak with the players now, they need a break, they need a break to reflect, but I’m looking forward and I can’t wait to start.”

And will Cristiano Ronaldo play a role and what can he bring?

“Of course.

“Cristiano can bring goals. But I talk first with Cristiano before I talk with you.”

“Next season is a different season. He did a great job, he is a great player, achieved a lot with a contribution to Manchester United. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

And what about captain Harry Maguire?

“Next season is a different season. He did a great job, he is a great player, achieved a lot with a contribution to Manchester United. I’m looking forward to working with him.”