Erik ten Hag says Manchester United’s decision to axe Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassador role is having an impact on the club, admitting they ‘still need him’.
It was revealed this week Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the United hierarchy have decided to terminate Ferguson’s £2.6million-a-year ambassadorial role as part of continued cost-cutting measures at Old Trafford.
The legendary Scot retired as manager in 2013 after winning 38 trophies in 26 years at the helm – a move that has prompted a furious response from former players including Eric Cantona.
Ferguson has been a presence in the stands since leaving the dugout with current United boss Ten Hag insistent he will stay be available to offer advice to players and staff when needed.
‘Of course it has an impact on us,’ ten Hag told a press conference on Friday.
‘Sir Alex, of course, is Man United, he built United to where the club it is now and it impacts us.
‘But on the other side, we know and Sir Alex knows, that is what he wants. He wants to see a winning Manchester United and I’m sure he’s always available for every advice and we will need him, definitely, in the short-term, as we did in the last two-and-a-half years I am here.
‘Now and then we have a good contact. I would say, once in half a year I meet formally with him, but also of course, informally, around games, I meet him.
‘At the moment, we can’t match the standards he set, but still we have won trophies. Remember, six years before, this club didn’t win trophies, so we are coming back, we are returning, but obviously we are not there.
‘But what’s very important is that we need all the processes right and that we can construct a team that we can line up the best players, to construct the best team.’
The decision to end Ferguson’s contract comes amid another turbulent spell at United with ten Hag also hitting out at ‘fairytales and lies’ over his future.
United are currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and take on Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday.
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