Man Utd chiefs ‘met with Premier League manager’s agents on SAME DAY Erik ten Hag travelled to FA Cup final’
MANCHESTER UNITED bosses met with the manager of a Premier League club on the day the team travelled down to the FA Cup final, according to reports.
Ten Hag, 54, survived a thorough two-week end-of-season review by Ineos chief's Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford.
However, a number of other candidates were sounded out before the decision was made.
Man Utd are said to have spoken the likes of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter and showed interest in Kieran McKenna over the job.
But it has now been revealed that Red Devils representatives spoke to the agents of Brentford manager Thomas Frank on the day Ten Hag and his squad travelled down to Wembley for the FA Cup final.
According to The Telegraph, the departure of Mauricio Pochettino from Chelsea forced the club's hand as they sifted through would-be candidates.
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The Blues held an interest in Frank and Ipswich boss McKenna, and with Man Utd at the time unsure of Ten Hag's future, they hedged their bets by meeting with Frank's representatives.
Other bosses including Roberto De Zerbi, Gareth Southgate and Pochettino himself were also sounded out by the Red Devils.
The report adds Ten Hag's agent, Kees Vos, never received any sort of reassuring phone call in support of the Dutchman's corner.
Not even when reports emerged the same day saying he would certainly be sacked when regardless of the outcome of the final.
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Of course, Ten Hag went on to mastermind a tactically superb display against Manchester City, with the quality of the performance said to have been of particular note during the review.
Victory in the final of course played a part in swaying the fans, which the Old Trafford brass took note of when making their final decision.
As well as the trophy haul of Ten Hag since arriving at Old Trafford, his dedication to the job and the development of youngsters in the team were also marked in his favour.
The club also understood the mitigating factors against him throughout the season.
Talks over a new contract have now been opened, with his current deal running until 2025 with an option for a further year.
Ten Hag has accepted a reduced role in transfer policy to carry on at the club.
His FA Cup victory also bares striking similarities to Sir Alex Ferguson's own fate at Man Utd after winning the FA Cup in 1990.
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