Premier League Managers Offer Support to Ten Hag Following Dismissal

Following his dismissal by Manchester United on Monday, Erik ten Hag, who assumed leadership of the club in the summer of 2022, has received support from fellow Premier League managers, who anticipate he will “come back stronger.” The 54-year-old Dutch manager was relieved of his duties by the Old Trafford leadership after Sunday’s 2-1 loss to West Ham, a result that placed the club 14th in the Premier League standings. Meanwhile, Portuguese club Sporting has verified that Manchester United has contacted them regarding their head coach, Ruben Amorim, and is prepared to activate his 10 million euros (£8.3 million) release clause. Ten Hag garnered expressions of sympathy from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Liverpool’s Arne Slot, whereas Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou indicated that he was not surprised, citing the intense scrutiny associated with the role. “I’m so sorry for him. I have an incredible relationship with him. He represented United in the highest level in terms of behaviour,” Guardiola said. “[Football] manager is one of the only professions where people expect you to be sacked. I don’t see it with architects, doctors or teachers. It’s only in our job. We have to accept it.” “I wish him all the best – he’s going to come back stronger. He knows that our jobs depend on the results. If the results are not good enough, you will be sacked. I’m saying that about myself – I’m not an exception.” Liverpool manager Slot commented that witnessing his fellow countryman’s job loss rendered the news “even harder,” but he reiterated Guardiola’s views and anticipates Ten Hag’s future success. “Always your first thoughts are with the person,” Slot said. “We are all in this job so we know that it can happen, but if it happens – especially because I know him a little bit and I know how much work he puts into it – to get this news for him is a pity.” “We also know – especially us from Holland – how well he did at Ajax and he won two trophies over here, so we will see him in the near future again at a big club.” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed that it was “sad” to witness Ten Hag’s departure, but he further stated: “I think he’s done a really good job and changed a lot of things. I wish him all the best for his new chapter.” Premier League managers shared their views prior to their midweek Carabao Cup fixtures. (A separate detail: Ange Postecoglou’s 10-man Tottenham defeated Manchester United 3-0 in September.) Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appointed as interim manager and will oversee Manchester United’s fourth-round match against Leicester City; however, the club is currently in discussions regarding the permanent appointment of Amorim as Ten Hag’s successor. Ten Hag conducted his pre-match media conference for Wednesday’s EFL Cup fixture at Old Trafford (19:45 GMT) subsequent to the defeat at West Ham; nevertheless, his remarks were under embargo until Tuesday afternoon. The ex-Ajax manager, who secured the League Cup during his inaugural season at United and the FA Cup in his subsequent year, stated: “Our ranking is not reflecting our performance and our levels.” When asked if winning a trophy this season would signify success, he responded: “Definitely, it’s about trophies. If you win a trophy in top football, that is most important.” Tottenham manager Postecoglou remarked that executing the role in “any kind of processed way” is progressively challenging. “I guess [I’m] disappointed as it was inevitable with the scrutiny he’d had. It’s the nature of football these days,” the Tottenham boss said. “Erik was there for two and a bit years and he won a trophy in each year. If he was here [at Tottenham] with that record, would he have lost his job? Would he be under the same scrutiny?” “Everyone tells me all I have to do is win a trophy but I have got a feeling it would be the same. As a manager, you have to hit a sweet spot of success, playing football everyone likes and getting every signing right.” “I’m sure Erik will bounce back from that because he is a good manager. I’m sure his career will continue to go on strongly.” Ahead of his team’s match against Van Nistelrooy’s Manchester United, Leicester manager Steve Cooper commented: “Whatever level you work at, it’s a demanding job. The highs and lows are as extreme as it gets. You applaud managers when they do well and you feel for them when they don’t – that’s how I feel for Erik and any manager who loses their job. “It’s a very, very high-profile job at a huge club with plenty of scrutiny. It’s never nice to see, but I wish him well and I am sure he will bounce back, as and when he is ready.”