Erik ten Hag has expressed his respect for Jose Mourinho, ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash between Manchester United and Fenerbahce.
The Reds will travel to Turkey to reunite with former boss Mourinho and ex-midfielders Fred and Sofyan Amrabat, and looking to post a first win in the competition on the back of draws with FC Twente and FC Porto.
On Sunday evening, Ten Hag attended a Football Writers Association dinner to receive an award for winning the Emirates FA Cup last season. He paid tribute to the players and coaching staff who helped pull off the excellent victory against Manchester City at Wembley in his speech.
When asked if he would try to meet up with Jose before or after the game in Istanbul, he replied: “Probably, yeah, but it's like a big game for both of us.
”I really enjoy to face him, to play against him. He always has good teams and he is a winner. He has won so many trophies and, I think, is an example for many managers. So I really enjoy to play against him.“
The manager appreciates how much effort goes into winning a trophy, and was keen to acknowledge that during his on-stage address.
“I really appreciate to be here,”
he said. “I'm really honoured.
”I know, as a manager, it's really difficult to win trophies so, first of all, I say to all my colleagues are here who win trophies, big congratulations for their performances with their teams, because I can say I have some experience. It's not easy to win titles, to win trophies, which is the level as I know all levels in English football are very competitive. To win titles demands huge commitment, sacrificing your family, to get the team doing what you want.
“Of course, you don't do this alone and, first of all, you need incredible, good players. Without good players, any manager is poor. And the players can't do it without coaching. So I also have to say thank yo to my coaches, who did an incredibly good job to win this FA Cup.”
Erik also reiterated that, despite Saturday's encouraging performance and result against Brentford, the Reds need to be judged at the end of the season.
“At United, we are just in the season,”
he added. “We are in the start. It was not a good start. We know that and we are not happy but we were happy yesterday, we have a win and a comeback. But it's just one win.
”If you want to win trophies, you have to do it continually and need good performances and a hard job throughout the season. We also know trophies are not won in autumn, not in winter, not even in spring. It's when you getting into April and May. Our job is to get the team winning throughout all the season but, especially, in the end of the season. Then we have to make sure we develop a team that are ready to win trophies.“
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