- Erik ten Hag was fired by Manchester United on Monday morning
- Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed his opinion about the dismissal
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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has expressed his opinion on Erik ten Hag’s dismissal from Manchester United.
Ten Hag was sacked by United on Monday after just over two years in charge following a disappointing start to the season that saw United finish 14th in the Premier League and yet to record a win in Europe.
Slot only arrived in England this summer but played his part in Ten Hag’s demise as he led his Liverpool side to a 3-0 win at Old Trafford last month.
Despite the rivalry between Liverpool and United, Slot has shown some sympathy for Ten Hag’s situation and has tipped his compatriot to come back.
“He is a Dutch manager, which makes it even more difficult for me, for us as Dutch people,” Slot said at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Brighton for their Carabao Cup match.
Arne Slot has expressed his condolences for Erik Ten Hag after his dismissal from Man United
Ten Hag was fired by United on Monday after a dismal start to the season
‘Your first thoughts are always with the person. We all have this job so we know it can happen, but if it does, especially because I know him a little bit and I know how much work he puts into it, then it’s a shame to get this news for him.
‘But we also know, especially because we are from the Netherlands, how well he has done at Ajax and that he has won two trophies here, so we will see him again somewhere at a big club in the near future. At this moment it is a great disappointment for him and his family.’
Prior to his arrival at Anfield, Ten Hag appeared to take a jab at Slot in May when he downplayed Feyenoord’s performance last season.
Feyenoord finished seven points behind champions PSV Eindhoven and Ten Hag told Voetbal International: ‘People have become too lyrical about Feyenoord.
‘Feyenoord was stable this year, but not top. PSV Eindhoven was two classes better in all areas. In terms of ball control, in terms of putting pressure, in terms of intensity, you name it.’
Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is closing in on replacing Ten Hag in the United hotseat
He added: ‘PSV Eindhoven was better than the rest at such a long distance, so much better even than Feyenoord.’
But Slot got his revenge earlier this season when Liverpool overtook United, and has now outlasted Ten Hag in England.
United have moved quickly to find Ten Hag’s replacement, with the Red Devils moving closer to appointing Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag boarded a plane back to the Netherlands on Monday, where he will spend some time with his family after being relieved of his duties at United.
