Ryan Babel, the former Ajax forward, believes two critical missteps led to Erik ten Hag’s downfall at Manchester United.
Despite a promising first season that saw the Dutchman claim the Carabao Cup and secure a third-place Premier League finish, his fortunes quickly reversed.
Babel cited Ten Hag’s failure to secure preferred transfer targets and a rigid tactical approach as the key reasons for his eventual dismissal in October. After a poor start to the season, United sat 14th in the league, prompting the club to make a managerial change.
Missed Transfer Targets Undermined Success
Babel, who worked with Ten Hag at Ajax, acknowledged his former manager’s clear vision but pointed to transfer market struggles.
While United spent heavily on players like Antony and Lisandro Martinez, Babel argued that the club failed to back Ten Hag in subsequent windows.
This forced him to settle for secondary options, disrupting his plans to implement a cohesive playing style. Babel remarked, “Maybe the players he was presented with couldn’t execute the type of football he wanted to play.”
Tactical Rigidity Costly in the Premier League
Another major issue highlighted by Babel was Ten Hag’s tactical inflexibility. While his structured approach worked in the Netherlands, it struggled to adapt to the demanding and dynamic nature of English football.
United’s porous defense in his second season—conceding 85 goals across competitions—underscored these challenges. Babel suggested that Ten Hag’s adherence to his initial strategy, even as results deteriorated, proved costly.
Despite the setbacks, Babel believes Ten Hag can bounce back, potentially returning to the Premier League or taking up opportunities like the rumored vacancy at RB Leipzig. “He seems like a type who wants to bounce back and prove himself,” Babel concluded.