When Erik ten Hag proclaimed, “Eras come to an end,” Manchester United’s faithful were buzzing with anticipation, envisioning a bright future under the leadership of one of Europe’s top managerial talents.
Not so long ago, Ten Hag had steered Ajax to the illustrious Champions League semi-finals, racking up three league titles and two Dutch Cups during his tenure. His knack for an attractive possession-based game caught Manchester United’s eye, leading to a promising start—marked by ending their trophy drought with a Carabao Cup victory.
The Red Devils, with their rich history of 20 league titles, secured a third-place finish in the Premier League, earning a Champions League spot, and also made it to the FA Cup final. Expectations soared for the upcoming season, as Ten Hag, the former Ajax helmsman, opted to pivot from his foundational gameplay to a more transition-focused strategy aimed at maximizing his squad’s strengths.
Despite clinching the FA Cup, the team endured a sobering exit in the Champions League, finishing eighth in the league standings. Yet, undeterred, INEOS extended Ten Hag’s contract and bolstered his endeavors in the transfer window, only for his stint to be prematurely terminated a few months into the new campaign, as performances faltered.
Even with this abrupt end, former coach Benni McCarthy remains an ardent supporter of Ten Hag, lavishing praise on the ousted United manager. McCarthy, himself a former South Africa striker, revealed that Ten Hag had envisioned a decade-long commitment to the club, meticulously crafting plans accordingly.
“I was granted an extraordinary opportunity to work at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs under Erik ten Hag’s leadership,” McCarthy shared with BBC Sport Africa.
“In terms of professionalism, Ten Hag was unparalleled—a disciplinarian and the most remarkable professional I’ve encountered in football. His work ethic, dedication, and passion were second to none. His vision was to be Manchester United’s coach for the next 10 years. People criticise United, but remember, we took home the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Being part of that era was something I cherish,” McCarthy reflected.
Currently unemployed, Ten Hag continues to attract interest from various clubs, and his recent insights into his Old Trafford chapter have certainly caught attention.
Meanwhile, United’s fortunes under Ruben Amorim, Ten Hag’s successor, remain lackluster. Amorim attributes the team’s struggles partly to erratic recruitment strategies. From an outsider’s perspective, the current coach of the Kenya national team acknowledges the complexity of Amorim’s challenges but extends his support to the embattled Portuguese manager.
“To be frank, it’s baffling. United is such a massive institution, and the problems persist without clear solutions,” he remarked. “I’ve always been an admirer of the club, and it’s disheartening. I sincerely hope the management and especially the coach can rally the squad, as they possess great talent.”
[Image Credit: Michael Regan via Getty Images]
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