Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has criticized the club’s co-owners, INEOS, suggesting they were unwilling to listen to his professional guidance during his tenure. Ten Hag, who was dismissed in October 2024 following a difficult start to the season, stated that the new ownership group believed they already possessed all the necessary knowledge to run the club.
Disagreements over club strategy
In the second part of an interview with The Athletic, Ten Hag explained that he attempted to offer his expertise to help build the club’s structure. However, he felt his input was disregarded by the leadership team. “I offered my knowledge and abilities to INEOS to help them to construct, but they were of the opinion that they knew already everything,” Ten Hag told The Athletic.
The former manager argued that the leadership’s background in industries such as petrochemicals, Formula 1, and cycling did not translate well to the specific requirements of the sport. He noted that top-level football demands a unique approach, stating, “They were convinced of, say, the philosophy, the strategy, the work methods. But they came from petrochemicals, from Formula 1, from cycling. Top football demands something totally different.”
Relationship with former players
Ten Hag also addressed the public criticism he received from former Manchester United players, including Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand. Despite the negative commentary during his time at Old Trafford, the Dutchman insisted he holds no personal animosity toward them.
He suggested that former players often criticize current managers as a way to protect their own legacies, a phenomenon he observed at other clubs like Bayern Munich and Ajax. “I have to say, I had a very good relationship with them all, with Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand. I did nice interviews with them both, so it didn’t hurt me,” Ten Hag explained to The Athletic.
While acknowledging their past achievements and contributions to the club, Ten Hag noted that the nature of modern football has evolved. He suggested that former players could play a more constructive role in supporting the current squad, adding, “They achieved massive successes. But also, they can help the club more, help the players more. There should be two ways that they support it. But I think always the thing you most love, you most criticise.”
Ten Hag was replaced by Ruben Amorim shortly after his departure, as the club looked to move in a different direction following their 13th-place standing in the Premier League at the time of the managerial change.
