‘I’m embarrassed for him’ - Ten Hag slammed for remarks about Manchester United stay
i

Erik ten Hag has been ridiculed for thinking he is the best man for the Manchester United job (Imago/Sportimage)

‘I’m embarrassed for him’ - Ten Hag slammed for remarks about Manchester United stay

Seye Omidiora 18:40 - 17.06.2024

Ex-Chelsea player Craig Burley has criticised Ten Hag for believing he is the best man to lead the Red Devils.

Erik ten Hag has been rebuked for thinking he is the perfect choice for the Manchester United job. 

What Ten Hag said

The Dutchman was expected to be dismissed after the FA Cup final regardless of the result, with the club reported to show interest in Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi. 

However, Manchester United opted to keep the former Ajax man in charge for the final year of his contract, with reports suggesting Ten Hag could be handed a new deal on fresh terms. 

Erik ten Hag and Bruno Fernandes after Manchester United's FA Cup triumph
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and manager Erik ten Hag after FA Cup win (Credit: Imago)

Speaking on Dutch TV as a pundit for Euro 2024, the 54-year-old shed light on how the process played out. 

“‘It was a turbulent season, but it is never a dull moment in Manchester,” Ten Hag told Dutch TV show Studio Fußball. 

“Last week they suddenly came to me, that they would like to continue. As in every organisation it is usual to evaluate, the new owners took their time to do that as well.  

“They told me, but it was no secret that they spoke with multiple candidates. In Holland it is ‘not done’, but the rules in England are different. They drew the conclusion that they already had the best manager.  

“They came to Ibiza. We held good conversations, about different subjects. We decided to continue and extend the contract, but we still have to agree. Some things need to happen before that happens.”

Those remarks were met with derision by former Chelsea and retired Scotland international Craig Burley, who questioned Ten Hag’s pride in himself. 

Ex-Scotland and Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley pictured in 2012 (Imago/Allstar)

“How can you have any respect for yourself in a job if your bosses are out there publicly (courting potential replacements)? Publicly they have done it,” said Burley on ESPN. 

“They have touted themselves around everybody and now he is coming out with more nonsense. 

“I’m actually embarrassed for him.”

What comes next?

The decision to keep Ten Hag means the Red Devils can approach the transfer market with clarity as they prepare for the 2024-25 campaign.