Erik ten Hag reveals ex-Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal told him NOT to take the Old Trafford hotseat as he reflects on Ralf Rangnick 'open-heart surgery' claim & opens up on 'toughest season' of his career

In a wide-ranging interview, Ten Hag said "a lot of people" advised him against joining United, including ex-Netherlands boss Van Gaal, that his predecessor Rangnick was right when he said the club needed "open-heart surgery", and how difficult last season was for him.

The ex-Ajax boss told Dutch publication AD: ‘’Rangnick was absolutely right. We have been working very hard on this for two years, but he said it exactly right: it is a thorough, very complex operation. And I knew when I started that it would be a tough job. There are a lot of people who advised me against it. Yes, including Louis van Gaal.‘’

He added: "This was by far the toughest season I have experienced as a coach. Does this club want to get back to where it was over a decade ago, to a club that wins the Premier League, that can win Champions Leagues? We are really a long way from that, I think.‘’

Ten Hag was under pressure to keep his job after leading United to their lowest-ever Premier League finish of eighth last season, but the club's lengthy injury list and their FA Cup triumph saved him. However, some of their struggles, arguably, were down to the manager's shortcomings and he, and his players, will have to up their game to challenge for more trophies and climb up the league next term.

Back in March 2022, when Ten Hag was linked with United during his time at Ajax, Van Gaal fired a warning shot to his compatriot about moving to Old Trafford.

The former Bayern Munich manager, who was sacked days after leading United to a FA Cup triumph in 2016, said at the time: "I think Ten Hag is a great coach; I said that multiple times. A great coach is good for Man Utd. But Man Utd is a commercial club. Those are difficult choices for a coach. As a coach, you should prefer a football club."

Ten Hag is now preparing for the new season, with many of his players undergoing their pre-season campaign this week. They take on Rangers in a friendly on Saturday, before coming up against Arsenal on July 27.