Erik ten Hag has been directly asked whether he will still be Manchester United manager next season.
Manchester United have ended their dreary campaign on an unlikely high note after defeating Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final.
Two first-half goals from teenage duo Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured the win despite Jeremy Doku pulling one back late on.
It was a sublime performance from Erik ten Hag’s side, with the manager getting his tactics right on the money to knock the Premier League champions off their stride.
Ahead of the game, all the talk was about Ten Hag’s future with reports suggesting he would be sacked regardless of the result at Wembley.
United were quick to deny the speculation but the triumph leaves Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club’s decision-makers in a tricky position as they decide what to do next.
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Erik ten Hag addresses his position as United manager
Speaking to the BBC after the game, Ten Hag was asked directly by Gary Lineker if he would still be in charge of the club next season.
The Dutchman replied: “I don’t know. The only thing I’m doing is preparing my team, developing my team.
“This is a project for me. When I came in I can say it was a mess. Now we are better. We are not where we want to be.
“Football is about winning trophies. I want to play the best football, dynamic, attacking football but in the end you have to win games and trophies.
“That’s the mentality we brought in. This was our one opportunity and we did it. I‘m very proud of the players and staff.”
Erik ten Hag has done all he can to save his job
Ten Hag took a stumble when Lineker was so direct with his question but he quickly recovered to fight his corner.
The manager correctly points out that he inherited a ‘mess’ at Old Trafford two years ago and has since gone on to win two trophies in two seasons when they had gone six years without one before him.
It also can’t be denied that he is fulfilling his promise to develop and give chances to young prospects, just look at the goal-scorers at Wembley.
It’s been a dreadful season but ending it on such a positive, with the best tactical plan and performance of his reign, can only help his cause.
The win shouldn’t erase the terrible season that preceded it and serious conversations need to take place but it’s such a positive platform to build upon. Maybe Ten Hag has earned himself a second chance.