Benni McCarthy believes Erik ten Hag lacks one key attribute as Manchester United manager.
Erik ten Hag is on the brink of being sacked at Manchester United after an underwhelming start to the season.
After an impressive summer transfer window under Ineos and with a fit and fresh squad, there was a growing hope that Ten Hag could kick on and take United to a new level this season.
However, the awful 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday afternoon means the Red Devils have now won just three of their opening nine games – the same record which saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked in 2021.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stance on sacking Ten Hag has not changed – the British billionaire is willing to give the Dutchman this week’s trips to Porto and Aston Villa to try and turn things around.
Former United coach Benni McCarthy has now given an insight into Ten Hag’s coaching style and suggested why things aren’t working out for him.
Benni McCarthy says Erik ten Hag lacks ‘passion’
McCarthy was hired to work as part of Ten Hag’s backroom staff at United in 2022.
However, McCarthy left this summer as part of the staff reshuffle at United and he stated his reason for leaving was that he wanted to pursue a managerial career of his own.
Ten Hag wanted McCarthy to stay after being handed a one-year extension by Ineos this summer.
Just months after his exit, McCarthy has now opened up on what Ten Hag is like as a coach.
Speaking to Portuguese outlet Zero Zero: McCarthy said: “Tactically Erik is one of the smartest coaches I have ever met. He is intelligent, a very intelligent man.
“Meticulous, concerned with details. He made everything available to the players, he carefully explained every possible and imaginable situation about the game. Then, at the end of the day, it was up to the players to step onto the pitch and give a good response
“In modern football, I believe that players want to see a bit more passion in their coach. They need to feel that the coach is with them and willing to fight alongside them. Tactically, I feel that Erik is at the top. He lacks a bit of that fire, that passion. That’s where we differ, him and I.
He went on: “Sometimes I didn’t see in him that passion I speak of. He has a different personality, a different profile. I think that was one of the difficulties that the team and the players encountered.”
Benni McCarthy’s comments are a huge concern
To hear from someone who worked with Ten Hag for two years that he lacks “passion” is a huge worry.
Ten Hag has never been an overly charismatic manager on the touchline, and that isn’t a necessity for a United manager, but having passion and being able to get players ticking is a huge part of the job.
It was something Sir Alex Ferguson excelled in, the legendary United boss was a brilliant man manager and was able to extract everything out of players.
United’s performance against Spurs on the weekend lacked spirit, energy and fire and perhaps McCarthy has just explained why.
However, Ten Hag’s tactical approach to the game wasn’t exactly great either…
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