Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has praised former Ajax star Sebastien Haller after his triumph with the Ivory Coast at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Erik ten Hag was responsible for bringing Sebastien Haller to Ajax during his time in the dugout at the Dutch side, with the striker signed from West Ham in 2021.
Haller, who now plays for Borussia Dortmund, had previously worked with Ten Hag at Utrecht and was a club-record signing for Ajax at the time after his £18.8m move.
The 29-year-old France-born striker scored an impressive 47 times in 66 appearances for Ajax, but Haller later faced a health scare after he left the club.
Haller signed for Dortmund in 2022 and was forced to pull out of the club’s pre-season campaign at the time, with Haller diagnosed with testicular cancer.
The Ivory Coast international underwent two surgeries and chemotherapy as part of his treatment before he made his triumphant return for the German club in 2023.
Ten Hag on Haller’s AFCON success
The Ivory Coast lifted the Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil after their 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final on Sunday.
Sebastien Haller scored the winner for the Ivory Coast in the AFCON final, having played a key part for his country in their triumph at the tournament.
The Ivory Coast striker had punched the eventual AFCON champions’ place in the final after he found the back of the net in the 1-0 semi-final win over the DR Congo.
Speaking after Haller’s success at AFCON, Erik ten Hag revealed he had kept in touch with the Borussia Dortmund star and had contact with him after the final.
The Manchester United boss admired how Haller “fought his way back tremendously” from his testicular cancer diagnosis.
“I had direct contact with Seb on Sunday night after the final,” he said, as per the Metro.
“There has also been frequent contact during his period of illness. I tried to support him as much as possible.
“Of course, he had only been away from Ajax for a fortnight when the illness was diagnosed. For me too, that was a huge blow.
“A sportsman in the prime of his life with a young family of three children and then such an illness.
“The way he dealt with it deserves great respect. He did not flee in anger but accepted it immediately and took everything he could to improve his chances of recovery and be resilient.
“He has fought his way back tremendously and then it is great that this is now followed by such a well-deserved sporting highlight.”
Man Utd boss Ten Hag praises Haller
Haller had been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past after Ten Hag left Ajax and succeeded Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as United’s permanent manager.
While a reunion at United never happened, Ten Hag insisted that Haller’s story is “super emotional” and said that the player has a “fantastic personality.”
“This highlight is so much to Seb’s credit after everything he has been through,” he admitted.
“His story is of course super emotional. From a sporting point of view, it was difficult for him.
“Last year, he missed the title with Borussia Dortmund and missed a penalty in the decisive match.
“That he then is now an African champion is great. Seb is a fantastic personality, a real-team player.
“That attitude doesn’t suit a striker, but that’s how he always sets himself up. He is modest and humble, just a great player to have in your squad.
“And he radiates calmness and tranquillity. You can see that in his game.
“He is imperturbable and therefore able to score such a decisive goal at such an important moment in difficult circumstances.”
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