‘Sad’ – Rival Premier League managers share verdicts on Erik ten Hag’s sacking

Premier League managers have backed Erik ten Hag to come back stronger after he was sacked by Manchester United on Monday.

The 54-year-old was dismissed following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham. It added to what has been a poor start to the season, with United positioned 14th in the Premier League standings.

Ten Hag earned credit in his first two seasons at United as he won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, ultimately ending the club’s trophy drought.

A lack of consistency proved costly in the end.

Premier League managers have their say on Erik ten Hag’s dismissal

Managers around the Premier League have been reflecting on the news this week, including Man City’s Pep Guardiola and Liverpool’s Arne Slot.

“I’m so sorry for him. I have an incredible relationship with him. He represented United in the highest level in terms of behaviour,” Guardiola said, as per BBC Sport.

“[Football] manager is one of the only professions where people expect you to be sacked. I don’t see it with architects, doctors or teachers. It’s only in our job. We have to accept it.

“I wish him all the best – he’s going to come back stronger. He knows that our jobs depend on the results. If the results are not good enough, you will be sacked. I’m saying that about myself – I’m not an exception.”

Meanwhile, Slot admitted that seeing his compatriot lose his job made the news harder.

“Always your first thoughts are with the person,” Slot said.

“We are all in this job so we know that it can happen, but if it happens – especially because I know him a little bit and I know how much work he puts into it – to get this news for him is a pity.

“We also know – especially us from Holland – how well he did at Ajax and he won two trophies over here, so we will see him in the near future again at a big club.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said it was “sad”, adding: “I think he’s done a really good job and changed a lot of things. I wish him all the best for his new chapter.”

You can tell Ten Hag has earned a lot of respect from other managers in the league, but it’s a shame he wasn’t able to make life harder for them during his time in the Premier League. He did however beat Guardiola’s City in last season’s FA Cup final.

That said, Arteta has been at Arsenal for six years and has yet to win a trophy. Ten Hag won two during his time at United…

Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon have since confirmed that United have approached them for head coach Ruben Amorim. It’s understood that the Reds are willing to pay his £8.3m (€10m) release clause.