Looking back on Erik ten Hag’s first-ever press conference at Manchester United makes for interesting reading after his sacking.
Erik ten Hag was sacked by Manchester United on Monday morning following the 2-1 defeat to West Ham.
The Red Devils slumped down to 14th in the Premier League table and have made an equally bad start in the Europa League.
The United hierarchy found Ten Hag’s start unacceptable and unanimously agreed that he should be sacked. It was also reported that senior United players started to question Ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag spent just over two years as United boss and lifted the Carabao Cup and FA Cup during his time as manager, but he failed on his initial plan to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s first press conference at Man United
There was a huge excitement around Ten Hag’s appointment at Old Trafford in 2022.
Ralf Rangnick’s short stint at manager was a miserable few months for United fans, but in Ten Hag the club had hired an experienced boss who had coached one of the most exciting young teams in Europe at Ajax.
It obviously didn’t work out as expected, and Ten Hag’s first ever words as Manchester United boss have now come back to haunt him.
Ten Hag first spoke to the media in May 2022, and when asked whether accepting the United job put his reputation at risk, he said: “I don’t see it as a risk. I think this club has a great history and now let’s make a future.
“It is really exciting to do that with the people around who are in the club, and we also bring people in with the staff. We will analyse the squad and we will go on day-to-day. Work hard, one hundred per cent committed, and then I am sure we will get success.”
Ultimately, Ten Hag’s reputation has taken a huge hit after being sacked at United. He was widely regarded as one of the most exciting coaches in world football after his success at Ajax.
Erik ten Hag’s prediction backfired badly
Ten Hag also made a bold prediction that Liverpool and Manchester City’s dominance in the Premier League would come to an end during his time at Old Trafford.
He warned United’s biggest rivals that their “era can come to an end”.
Ten Hag said: “In this moment I admire them. I admire them both. They play, in this moment, really fantastic football, both Liverpool and Manchester City.
READ MORE: Rasmus Hojlund sends 12-word message after Erik ten Hag is sacked as Man United manager
“But you will always see that an era can come to an end. I am looking forward to battling with them and I am sure all the other clubs in the Premier League will want to do that.”
When asked if “that era come to an end before they decide to leave?” Ten Hag replied: “I think, yes.”
On the date of Ten Hag’s sacking, City top the Premier League table and Liverpool sit just behind them in second. His prediction went horribly, horribly wrong.
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