Premier League managers were quick to offer commiserations towards the recently-sacked Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
The 54-year-old Dutch manager lasted just over two seasons with the Red Devils, winning a League Cup and an FA Cup. However, United dropped to eighth place in the table last year – their lowest-ever finish in the Premier League era – and currently sit 14th this year after nine matches. Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham was the nail in ten Hag’s coffin.
Comparatively, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has the ultimate job security. He’s captured six Premier League titles in eight seasons with the Citizens and has his team at the top of the table once again.
Regardless, the Spanish manager spoke affectionately of the beleaguered ten Hag: “I’m so sorry for him. We had an incredible relationship and I think he represents Man United at the highest level in terms of behavior,” Guardiola admitted.
“Our job, the manager, is one of the few jobs in all the jobs in the world where people expected you to be sacked. I don’t see architects, doctors or teachers or anything [where] the people decide, ‘Yeah, get out.’ It’s us. It’s our job, we have to accept it.
“I wish him all the best, he and his family, and he of course is going to come back stronger,” Guardiola continued. “He knows, I know, everybody knows that our job depends on the results. When the results are not good enough, always we are on the verge of staying or being sacked.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot had coached against ten Hag for a number of years – Slot was in charge of Feyenoord in the Eredivisie while ten Hag manned Ajax.
“He’s a Dutch manager, which makes it even harder for me and for us as Dutch people,” Slot said. “Always your first thoughts are with the person.”
He then offered his sympathies. “We are all in this job so we know it happens, but especially because I know him a little bit and I know how much work he puts into it, then 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.”
Former PSV manager and current United assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy will manage Manchester United on Wednesday against Leicester City in the League Cup.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported early on Tuesday that the club has paid Sporting Lisbo €10 million ($11 million) for manager Ruben Amorim. The 39-year-old ended his side’s title drought dating back to 2022 by winning Liga NOS in 2021.
