Former Manchester United coach Eric Ramsay has defended his decision to go against Erik ten Hag’s wishes and jump ship to take his first foray into management.

Ramsay, 32, joined United during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time as manager. He continued to play a part under Ralf Rangnick and then current boss Ten Hag, but left midway through the 2023-24 season to join Minnesota United despite Ten Hag wanting him to stay.

It wasn’t the first time the Welshman was headhunted for a job, with Barnsley – then in the Championship – one of two second-tier English teams to make an approach. He said no to the first two offers, but not the third, and became the youngest ever head coach in Major League Soccer when he took the Minnesota job.

After missing out on the end-of-season playoffs last season, the Saint Paul-based team – who joined MLS in 2017 – are on track to make the cut this time. Speaking ahead of Minnesota’s Leagues Cup opener, Ramsay appeared to have no regrets about his decision.

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“I just felt that it was one I couldn’t turn down,” Ramsay told The Mail. “However it pans out here and when it comes to an end, I know I will be significantly better for having had this experience. It’s been everything I wanted it to be so far.

“I can say safely that even after five months that I feel twice as capable as I would have done had I stayed there. There’s probably never going to be a point where I look back and say, ‘I should perhaps have stayed at Manchester United a touch longer’.”

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Eric Ramsay is in his first season at Minnesota United ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Ramsay explained he had run all of his managerial opportunities by Ten Hag, including those he ended up turning down. He recognised he left at an “awkward time” for the club, expressing his gratitude to the Dutchman for allowing him to move on when the Premier League club were in the midst of a difficult season.

He was officially unveiled as Minnesota United just days after Manchester United lost at home to Fulham to increase the pressure on Ten Hag. United sat sixth in the Premier League after that loss, eventually finishing eighth, but the former Ajax boss kept his job after victory in the FA Cup final helped secure European football.

Back in March, Ramsay gave Ten Hag his backing. “(Erik) is obviously incredibly focused, has real conviction as to how he wants the team to play, how he feels the group should be managed, as you’d expect of anyone who hits that level as a manager,” he told PA.

“Obviously, he’s had some difficult circumstances to deal with this year, so hopefully once that gets cleaned up then we’re going to see the trajectory recaptured that we saw last year.”