Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed sympathy for fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed by Manchester United following a challenging start to the season.
Slot acknowledged ten Hag’s efforts at Old Trafford, backing him to secure another prominent managerial position soon. Ten Hag’s departure came after a run of poor results that left United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
United’s recent 2-1 loss to West Ham added to mounting frustrations, with ten Hag ultimately departing just over two years into his tenure.
Reflecting on the sacking, Slot shared his disappointment, emphasizing the difficulty of seeing another Dutch manager face challenges in the Premier League.
Slot, who has enjoyed a strong start with Liverpool, remarked, “As a Dutch manager, it’s even harder to hear of his departure. We know how dedicated he is to his work, and it’s unfortunate that things turned out this way.”
Despite the setback, Slot is confident ten Hag will return to management soon, saying, “Given his achievements at Ajax and his trophies here, I believe he’ll find a big role again.”
Ten Hag’s time at United included a third-place finish in his debut season and two trophies: the Carabao Cup in 2023 and an FA Cup victory six months ago.
However, United’s eighth-place finish last season and a poor start to this campaign led to his eventual departure. Following ten Hag’s exit, United appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy, his former assistant, as interim manager.
The club has reportedly initiated talks with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim for a permanent replacement, with other names like Graham Potter and Thomas Frank also under consideration.
United captain Bruno Fernandes expressed his gratitude to ten Hag, thanking him for his leadership and expressing hope that fans will remember the positives he brought to the club.