ERIK TEN HAG has broken his silence on the axing of Sir Alex Ferguson as a Manchester United ambassador.
There was shock at Old Trafford this week when their greatest-ever manager was relieved of his £2.16million-a-year role as part of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures.
2Erik ten Hag has spoken about Sir Alex Ferguson’s axingCredit: Getty
2The two managers celebrating Man Utd’s League Cup triumph togetherCredit: Getty
Ferguson, 82, will still act as a non-executive member of the board and will be welcome at matches.
Current boss Ten Hag has claimed that the axing of the Scot has had an impact on the team and himself.
He said: “Of course, it has an impact on us.
“Sir Alex is Manchester United, he built Manchester United to where the club is now, it impacts us.”
Ferguson will not be at the Prem clash against the Bees as it is claimed the 82-year-old Scot is at a prior engagement.
The Dutchman has leant on Sir Alex in the past, tapping into his experience, and hopes he can still turn to him for help.
He said: “Sir Alex wants to see a winning Manchester United.
“I’m sure he’s always available for every advice, we will need him as we did in the last 2½ years.”
But Ten Hag admits Ferguson’s success has placed more pressure on his successors.
The ex-Ajax boss is the fifth incumbent since 13-time Prem and twice Champions League winner Fergie retired in 2013.
Ten Hag said: “There’s almost no club in the world where exceptions are so high.
“That’s set from the era of Sir Alex and the rest of us have to deal with this.
“We so far haven’t got to challenge for the Premier League or Champions League — but that’s the ambition.”
