Erik ten Hag has embroiled himself in the latest controversy with former Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho. The two coaches have been fighting over who has had a tougher job managing ‘The Red Devils.’
It all started when Jose Mourinho alleged that he would have been more successful as a Manchester United coach if he received the same backing as the Dutchman. Certainly, it downplayed Erik ten Hag’s achievements at United, as the Portuguese leveled the allegation that Erik had received everything he wanted.
Jose Mourinho suggested that Erik ten Hag has been given more backing in the transfer market than he had during his tenure at Man United.
Ten Hag hit back by claiming Mourinho is the only manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era to get the players they wanted 👀 pic.twitter.com/nFDIdJ9EmK
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) May 6, 2024
The Dutchman was never going to let the matter slide and has now hit back at Jose Mourinho. He believes that his situation at United in terms of transfers is as deplorable as the Portuguese.
Erik ten Hag said, in an interview with ESPN Brasil (via Goal), “Apart from Mourinho, the manager didn’t get the players they wanted, and that is what you need. I am confident we will achieve our goals, but it is a tough competition. It is not a two-horse race anymore. There are seven, eight [teams in the Premier League] who all go for the title, who all have very good squads. So if you want to go to the title, you have to construct that squad.”
Apart from taking a shot at Jose Mourinho, Erik ten Hag also criticized the Manchester United board for the lack of star signings. The Dutchman said that in order to win the title in a competitive league like the Premier League, Manchester United needs to invest heavily in the squad.
Jose Mourinho admitted that he didn’t receive adequate support from the Manchester United board
The former Chelsea manager’s comments were the origin behind the controversy including Erik ten Hag. Jose Mourinho in an interview with The Telegraph suggested that while he sustained a great personal relationship with former United Vice President Ed Woodward, he never received the trust from him while managing. The Portuguese also regrets his time at the club, as Jose felt he could have done better.
Jose Mourinho said, “I am who I am. I am a football man. Ed comes from a different background and what Ten Hag has in his time at Manchester United I didn’t have. I didn’t have that level of support. I didn’t have that level of trust.
He continued, “So I left sad because I felt I was in the beginning of the process. In some moments, I felt if they trusted me and believed in my experience things could be different.”
Not financially backing Jose Mourinho after he finished second in the league. We should have signed all his main targets that summer 🥲 https://t.co/w5uyc4bDxq
— Z (@zeeshanxz) April 4, 2024
The same interview gave the readers a lot of insights about Jose’s time at Manchester United. He revealed how Paul Pogba, with whom he had an ugly spat, returned to the club after winning the FIFA World Cup 2018 with a very changed attitude. Jose Mourinho also accused that some players whom he didn’t find fit enough to play for a club of United’s stature, are still drawing their salaries from the club.
Erik ten Hag claims that his Manchester United side is the worst team he has coached in terms of fitness
Manchester United has had a pretty abysmal season this time around. The team is set to miss out on UEFA Champions League soccer for the next season and after 34 matches the club sits in 8th position with 54 points.
Apart from the poor performances of the players, it is the injury crisis that the club has faced which has derailed United’s season. The situation is so bad that Erik ten Hag has commented that it is the worst injury crisis he has seen in his 10 years of soccer management career.
He said, “For over 10 years I have been managing, I never had so many injury issues. Now, in some positions, we don’t have choices. In the left-back position, Shaw has had only 15 stars this season and Tyrell Malacia has zero starts and is not even available”.
🔴 Ten Hag: “For over 10 years I am managing, I never was so many injury issues”.
“Now, in some positions, we don’t have choices. In the left-back position, Shaw has had only 15 stars this season and Tyrell Malacia has zero starts and is not even available”. pic.twitter.com/3EMDVKr4bh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 6, 2024
He highlighted how a player like Luke Shaw has played so few games this season. The situation is very bad for the Englishman, as his fitness issues have led the Manchester United fanbase to demand his exit.
Moreover, fans have been also wondering about the whereabouts of Tyrell Malacia, who has been out of action for over a year. Certainly, the fitness issues at United are one of the worst and something that the club has to address as soon as possible if they want to be competitive next season.