Erik ten Hag - Manchester United manager

[Bobski]

Did I say there were no issues? I think Ten Hag asked too much from the players too soon. He was impatient to get his project going and might pay for it yet.

The rest of your post is shambolic.

You said it was not the tactics, pure delusion, removing responsibility from Ten Hag, the above draws back a bit on that but not enough. Ten Hag's famous "best transition team" quote shows what he wanted, neutral possession was never part of it, what I watched all season was win the ball quick, hit the space behind, and very little else.

No-one has given a valid explanation for his blind spot in midfield that lasted until the Arsenal game when he finally realized that being a bit more compact might help the beleaguered back 4.

 

[Eriku]

I also think the RedDevils sub on Reddit is far too overly positive. It seems anyone with any kind of negative opinions gets down voted into oblivion.

Yeah, I agree. Nice to go there for a break when I feel the Caf is getting too gloomy, though.

 

[Oldyella]

The consensus on here has moved to keeping Ten Hag. You wouldn’t know it because the Hag out folks are loud and relentless.

And the ETH in crowd all stopped posting when the poll was 80/20 the other way..

 

[iato89]

No, man, MU fans. Proper ones.

What a load of BS

 

[pocco]

And the ETH in crowd all stopped posting when the poll was 80/20 the other way..

Because they didn't really have conviction in their belief. There were a couple that were arguing for him, but under the premise that they thought he should/would go but wanted to defend him against "unfair" criticisms. Now they've got the wind in their sails and they're feeling more courageous.

 

[stevoc]

The consensus on here has moved to keeping Ten Hag.

51 and rising, and other fan polls are much higher. I saw one at 91%.

Far from a consensus on here though.

Don’t worry, you still might get your wish if INEOS completely ignores the fanbase.

I'm not worried. My wish was for Ten Hag to work out but he hasn't and I have serious doubts he's the man to take us forward. And because my overiding wish is for what's best for Manchester United as opposed to any one manager, I think it's best for the club if he leaves. I have nothing against him personally.

And I would sincerely hope an operation that runs a multi billion pound company and just spent £1.5b to buy control of United. Does ignore fan sentiment when making decisions. And that goes for any decision related to the club whether my opinion aligns with the action or not. For example I hope they renovate Old Trafford but if they having considered all factors analytically decide it's best for the club to rebuild, then so be it.

 

[NLunited]

You said it was not the tactics, pure delusion, removing responsibility from Ten Hag, the above draws back a bit on that but not enough. Ten Hag's famous "best transition team" quote shows what he wanted, neutral possession was never part of it, what I watched all season was win the ball quick, hit the space behind, and very little else.

Transition football can be all sorts of things, not just long balls over the top.

You are absolutely right neutral possession is not what Ten Hag wants; he wants the ball to go forward quickly rather than pass it around endlessly from side to side.

What he does not want is needless give aways. These are a huge issue because we commit numbers forward.

He wants to play out the back, play through the opponents press and attack with numbers.

If the opponent is brave or stupid enough to play a high line, we can expose them with precise long balls.

If you watched the final and didn’t see our quality in possession, I can understand why you said there was ‘very little else’.

 

[Leftback99]

75.

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Deserves another season.

 

[stevoc]

Since when are 90% of MU fans Dutch?

Clutching at straws, are we?

100% of Dutch Man Utd fans are Dutch though.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

Because they didn't really have conviction in their belief. There were a couple that were arguing for him, but under the premise that they thought he should/would go but wanted to defend him against "unfair" criticisms. Now they've got the wind in their sails and they're feeling more courageous.

Yup, they were all pretending to fence-sit for the last quarter of the season. It was all too obvious when they would say things like "I'll admit ETH has made plenty of mistakes, but... (ready-made excuse for every single mistake ETH made all season)".

 

[stevoc]

They all were outside of maybe LVG? Which brings a question, what is the actual reasoning when seemingly every single living being regardless of performances get the same unconditional vote of confidence?

For many United fans, especially amongst the regular match goers. Criticising the manager or saying you want him sacked, is just not a done thing. Very admirable attitude in many ways, but as you say when virtually everyone gets the same backing. You can't really hold it up as a reason to keep a manager.

 

[NotChatGPT]

I get the impression that if ETH stays, there's quite a lot of people in here that are hoping we'll have a miserable season so they can go for the "told you so". It's bizarre.

 

[Bobski]

Transition football can be all sorts of things, not just long balls over the top.

You are absolutely right neutral possession is not what Ten Hag wants; he wants the ball to go forward quickly rather than pass it around endlessly from side to side.

What he does not want is needless give aways. These are a huge issue because we commit numbers forward.

He wants to play out the back, play through the opponents press and attack with numbers.

If the opponent is brave or stupid enough to play a high line, we can expose them with precise long balls.

If you watched the final and didn’t see our quality in possession, I can understand why you said there was ‘very little else’.

Utd have good ball players, of course there is quality in possession with the likes of Martinez, Mainoo and Bruno. Transition football is fine but you also need to be able to settle the game down at times, don't believe his approach has that built in. You can put that down to needless giveaways but when you play a low percentage style, which this is, no matter how you dress it up, they are inevitable. The vast space there to counter through the midfield has not just been about giveaways either, disingenuous to suggest otherwise, so often 1 pass has gone through the press, 50 yards of space to run into, structurally it has been a mess, you don't allow the shot total Utd have it you are well set up.

 

[stevoc]

I get the impression that if ETH stays, there's quite a lot of people in here that are hoping we'll have a miserable season so they can go for the "told you so". It's bizarre.

Possible but they are still Man Utd fans after all so I doubt it. People who want Ten Hag out hold that opinion because they think that's the best thing for the club.

Do you think if Ten Hag stays and we somehow ended up winning the league next year, some of his biggest fans wouldn't be doing the same thing?

 

[Big Ben Foster]

I get the impression that if ETH stays, there's quite a lot of people in here that are hoping we'll have a miserable season so they can go for the "told you so". It's bizarre.

This is just the tired old "anyone who wants the manager out isn't a real fan" strawman.

 

[hobbers]

I get the impression that if ETH stays, there's quite a lot of people in here that know we'll have a miserable season and they will go for the "told you so".

Fixed

 

[Big Ben Foster]

For many United fans, especially amongst the regular match goers. Criticising the manager or saying you want him sacked, is just not a done thing. Very admirable attitude in many ways, but as you say when virtually everyone gets the same backing. You can't really hold it up as a reason to keep a manager.

Virtually everyone who is the manager. The same logic doesn't apply to the players, assistant managers, positional coaches, physios, medical staff, scouts, executives, or social media coordinators. Fans will call for their heads without hesitation (not that they're necessarily wrong in many cases, just pointing out the double standard).

 

[Amsterdam Devil]

In the Netherlands, Ten Hag:
- Helped FC Twente win their only ever Eredivisie title as assistant manager to Steve McClaren.

- Led Go Ahead Eagles to their first promotion to the Eredivisie in 17 years in his first year of management.

- Achieved promotion to the Eredivisie in his first season with Utrecht.

- Secured Europa League qualification in his second season with Utrecht.

- Won the Eredivisie title with Ajax in his first season after a 5-year league drought.

-Led Ajax to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, defeating Real Madrid 4-1 along the way.

- Won a total of 3 league titles in 4 years. Ajax have not won one since.

-Trusted and integrated youth players throughout his tenure.

He came to Man Utd and ended our 6-year trophy drought with two cups in two years.



Explain again - how is he NOT a winner?
The guy is built to achieve silverware.

I forgave him for the awful season, he delivered when it mattered the most.
Let's watch him win stuff again!

He wasn’t at the club when Twente won their championship, he left a year earlier.

He didn’t get promotion with Utrecht because Utrecht never went down in their existence.

His time at Ajax Overmars was the big man at the club, the club is in turmoil since he had to go, not because of Ten Hag. At Ajax Ten Hag signed some dodgy players he knew from Utrecht as well. And he didn’t play a lot of youth players, some even thought youth players got too few opportunities.

 

[Amarsdd]

I get the impression that if ETH stays, there's quite a lot of people in here that are hoping we'll have a miserable season so they can go for the "told you so". It's bizarre.

I get the impression that if ETH is sacked, there's quite a lot of people in here that are hoping we'll have a miserable season so they can go for the "told you so". It's bizarre.

See how dumb it sounds?

 

[NotChatGPT]

I get the impression that if ETH is sacked, there's quite a lot of people in here that are hoping we'll have a miserable season so they can go for the "told you so". It's bizarre.

See how dumb it sounds?

Now that sounds dumb.

 

[stevoc]

Virtually everyone who is the manager. The same logic doesn't apply to the players, assistant managers, positional coaches, physios, medical staff, scouts, executives, or social media coordinators. Fans will call for their heads without hesitation (not that they're necessarily wrong in many cases, just pointing out the double standard).

Absolutely when things go historically tits up like they did last season. For some, everyone from Darcie Glazer to the kids that walk out holding the players hands can be at fault, doing a bad job, lazy, incompetent, toxic, throwing the manager under the bus etc.

But not the manager, he's doing a great job.

 

[Tincanalley]

Us match going fans don’t do knee jerking, unlike those on Redcafe!

Not knee jerking, true enough

 

[Tincanalley]

Has anyone considered that this is just it. Nothing will be formally announced and it’ll stay like this until Pre Season when Ten Hag returns?

Someone did say that way back in the thread

 

[croadyman]

The longer any announcement about his future is delayed, the more likely it is that he goes, imo. I have a feeling they're just waiting for the FA Cup excitement to die down to make the change. My money is on Tuchel as his replacement.

He is my top choice of who is available, however would be around 4th on a list of who we could get realistically

 

[Robbie Boy]

Yeah, I agree. Nice to go there for a break when I feel the Caf is getting too gloomy, though.

It's ok at times but it's a crazy echo chamber.

 

[Tincanalley]

Amongst the match going fans its very much in favour of keeping Ten Hag. Likewise in other forums like the United subreddit.

As much as I enjoy the Caf, I do feel like it tends to swing more towards the negative narrative.

Delicately put. More plastic than rubber?

 

[NLunited]

100% of Dutch

Utd have good ball players, of course there is quality in possession with the likes of Martinez, Mainoo and Bruno. Transition football is fine but you also need to be able to settle the game down at times, don't believe his approach has that built in. You can put that down to needless giveaways but when you play a low percentage style, which this is, no matter how you dress it up, they are inevitable. The vast space there to counter through the midfield has not just been about giveaways either, disingenuous to suggest otherwise, so often 1 pass has gone through the press, 50 yards of space to run into, structurally it has been a mess, you don't allow the shot total Utd have it you are well set up.

Agree 100% we have failed to settle down games. Why not go compact and play it safe, we can do it.

Ten Hag is not aiming for a low percentage style: there is an emphasis on good passing out the back and playing through the press, which is not a low percentage style.

Against an opponent with a high press, balls over the top aren’t low percentage anymore either, if you have players who can make those passes. We were dangerous with almost every long ball against Cheaty.

 

[Rolaholic]

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Who did we sign that he didn't want?? Feel like the club actually gave him even too much power when it came to transfers, he had carte blanche to go after his targets when feasible (FDJ was not)

 

[croadyman]

Has anyone considered that this is just it. Nothing will be formally announced and it’ll stay like this until Pre Season when Ten Hag returns?

Oh great so we are left wondering until July

 

[Neil67]

Match going fans who wanted every manager to stay.

wrong again!

 

[Rolaholic]

wrong again!

Well then who have they ever wanted sacked?

Not LVG, Not Jose, Not Ole...

They've resorted to attacking players and executives over the years before ever turning on any manager

 

[JPRouve]

Agree 100% we have failed to settle down games. Why not go compact and play it safe, we can do it.

Ten Hag is not aiming for a low percentage style: there is an emphasis on good passing out the back and playing through the press, which is not a low percentage style.

Against an opponent with a high press, balls over the top aren’t low percentage anymore either, if you have players who can make those passes. We were dangerous with almost every long ball against Cheaty.

This goes against his own description of the style he wants which transition Football with speed and surprise. Speed and surprise are by definition a low percentage approach. And I personally have no issue with it, I like that style but his setup has been terrible, the coverage and pressing schemes have been consistently terrible and that's our issue, not the style.

 

[croadyman]

Well then who have they ever wanted sacked?

Not LVG, Not Jose, Not Ole...

They've resorted to attacking players and executives over the years before ever turning on any manager

Yeah exactly, seen very little evidence of matchgoers turning on anyone in last 11 years

 

[Neil67]

Well then who have they ever wanted sacked?

Not LVG, Not Jose, Not Ole...

They've resorted to attacking players and executives over the years before ever turning on any manager

all of them in the end and Moyes!!

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

Has anyone considered that this is just it. Nothing will be formally announced and it’ll stay like this until Pre Season when Ten Hag returns?

That would be dumb, the media told us we were talking to virtually every available manager the week before the FA Cup final, and then straight after that they were doing a season review to decide the managers fate, that obviously needs a conclusion, and us to be told the outcome.

The hold up just seems to be for show, there's no way they can still be discussing this, maybe they're waiting for some sort contract clause to annouce it, or to be sure they have got all the work done with whoever is replacing him, or just want to let the dust settle from the FA Cup.

I'd be shocked though if he's staying now, that's a very easy thing to decide and just get out there, but less so if they're sacking him.

 

[hobbers]

United fans have a track record of being relentlessly wrong about everything, hirings firings and signings, so I'm not sure why there's a clamour from either side to be in the majority.

 

[JPRouve]

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Who did we sign that he didn't want?? Feel like the club actually gave him even too much power when it came to transfers, he had carte blanche to go after his targets when feasible (FDJ was not)

I'm pretty sure that what he says is literally correct, he isn't responsible for the price of our eventual signings. But he is intellectually dishonest, he stated that he had a say and that it was a condition for his signing, so he isn't responsible for the price but he is responsible for the fact that they remained targets in spite of their high fees and he didn't push for looking at different options. Unless he is suggesting that the likes of Antony were forced on him.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

No, man, MU fans. Proper ones.

“Proper ones”

get a fecking grip

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

I'm pretty sure that what he says is literally correct, he is responsible for the price of our eventual signings. But he is intellectually dishonest, he stated that he had a say and that it was a condition for his signing, so he isn't responsible for the price but he is responsible for the fact that they remained targets in spite of their high fees and he didn't push for looking at different options. Unless he is suggesting that the likes of Antony were forced on him.

I miss the Ten Hag that we had when first hired that shouldered a huge amount of blame himself after we started terribly the first season

 

[The Hilton]

Possible but they are still Man Utd fans after all so I doubt it. People who want Ten Hag out hold that opinion because they think that's the best thing for the club.

Do you think if Ten Hag stays and we somehow ended up winning the league next year, some of his biggest fans wouldn't be doing the same thing?

Given the level of misery we've seen on the forum immediately after winning the FA cup, there are clearly multiple posters who are more invested in being proven right than they are in the club's success.