Erik ten Hag has taken aim at Manchester United's owners, saying that if they don't want him as their manager, he will win trophies for another club.
Ten Hag lifted his second silver medal in as many seasons at Old Trafford thanks to United's surprise 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
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The Dutchman said he still doesn't know if he will still be a manager next season, but insisted he will continue winning trophies, whether at United or elsewhere.
“Two trophies in two years is not bad, three finals in two years is not bad,” Ten Hag said in a post-match press conference on Saturday.
“If they don't want me, then I'll go somewhere else to win trophies because that's what I do.”
Ten Hag's future is in doubt after a disappointing eighth place finish in the Premier League.
New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has refused to offer his public backing, with sources telling ESPN that club bosses have sounded out potential candidates, including Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank, should they decide. Make an offer. change.
Ten Hag, however, insisted he has the support of Ratcliffe and his Ineos team, led by sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford.
“That's what they always tell me,” he said. “How many times do I have to tell you? Every time it's the same question. Do I have to repeat myself 10, 15, 20 times?”
“They don't have to tell me every week if they tell me that often. I've heard it so many times.”
Ten Hag was also asked if he felt undermined by United holding informal talks with representatives of potential replacements before issuing a strong defense of his reign.
“I don't know if they have done this, I can't answer this question,” he said. “I don't know. Maybe you have sources. I don't.
“I am in a project and we are exactly where we want to be, we are building a team for the future. When I took over we were in a disaster. The team is developing, the team is winning and the team plays at an identity level, but you need that players are available and a strong team, especially when you play in England and Europe.
“There is a lot of work to do, but we have value in the team and a lot of potential. The team is progressing and we are winning trophies.”
United captain Bruno Fernandes said the players were aware of the speculation over Ten Hag's future but said it was not up to the players to have a say on what the board should do.
In a post-match interview with ESPN, Fernandes said: “That [speculation] It always comes to us, today it is impossible. If it does not reach 25 players, it reaches number 26 and ends up passing the message.
“No one was worried about that. Today we had a great chance to win an FA Cup, something that is very important in the UK. The focus was on the final, no one was worried about that.
“It's not up to us to make decisions, even if we stay or not, it's up to the club to make those decisions. That's why we have to give our best on the field, now enjoy the holidays, and whoever is in the national team. The teams They can do their best.”
Fernandes added that United's poor season in the Premier League was not absolved by the FA Cup victory.
Asked if Saturday's victory saved his season, he said: “No, it saves the FA Cup. In the Premier League we wanted to do better, do more, also in European competitions, but in the FA Cup we managed to be successful and you are very happy.”
