Erik Ten Hag appreciation thread

[VP89]

Agreed, I dont hate Ten Hag like alot of others do, he struggled to get his points across by the looks of it.

The fact that he didn't lose the dressing room like previous managers did, seems to suggest players bought into his style but for one reason or another, it just didn't work.

Benni McCarthy also came out saying he is a very good tactical coach, one of the best, normally the staff that leave always have negative things to say.

The media portrayed him in a negative light but like Laurie from Athletic mentioned, he is a good guy, so I wish him all the best in the future.

I would like to see him go manage another top team and do well.

Ornstein also shut down the insinuation that he lost the dressing room (this was around the time we had the ex Co meeting).

He's an awkward personality and as you say probably failed to come across in the way he meant. A role like ours needs more charisma and nuance and he lacked in that department.

He did try to show his soft sides, giving sancho extended breaks mid season and defending him during it, or defending Rashford relentlessly. But when he needed to use the stick (rightly) the words need to be chosen carefully and he never got that right in some interviews. You'd probably believe that this happened behind the scenes too

 

[Dr Foo]

He did a lot right in his first season, especially with many on and off field challenges.

There were glimpses of his preferred style working but he doesn’t have the right players or buy in or the proper implementation/communication. His refusal or inability to adapt to get results damned him

 

[romufc]

Ornstein also shut down the insinuation that he lost the dressing room (this was around the time we had the ex Co meeting).

He's an awkward personality and as you say probably failed to come across in the way he meant. A role like ours needs more charisma and nuance and he lacked in that department.

He did try to show his soft sides, giving sancho extended breaks mid season and defending him during it, or defending Rashford relentlessly. But when he needed to use the stick (rightly) the words need to be chosen carefully and he never got that right in some interviews. You'd probably believe that this happened behind the scenes too

Exactly.

He lacked that personality to manage a big club like United. I think he underestimated how big some of the players are, in terms of PR and fan backing.

We have a lot of fans who backed Sancho, still do, I have seen this morning someone say.. but Sancho is one of Chelsea's best players on this forum, as well as his massive twitter backing.

I mean although we didn't play well, what he did with Sancho and Ronaldo was 100% correct imo. Its no surprise that Maresca is coming out saying there was issues with Sancho tactically. Ten Hag has been telling us this, yet some didnt believe him.

He backed his players consistently, he was given a hard time by the media from day 1, which never helps.

The English media will always hate a United manager if they are not someone they know. This can be seen by the number of journalists in the last 6 months promoting Southgate, Potter and even Thomas Frank.

Its obvious how big Manutd are, Sky sports sending reporters down to a Sporting game, didnt see that with Arne Slot did we?

 

[Captmfla]

ETH did the right thing getting rid of Sancho, CR7, De Gea, Varane, Martial and McTominay.

 

[KirkDuyt]

Put "Manchest United starting striker" on Wout Weghorst's CV.

 

[HaliRed]

Thank you, Erik. I'm sorry this didn't work out but the parting is best for both parties here.

I liked his hiring, and believed we were moving in the right direction manager-wise.

Unfortunately, in the end, whatever he was trying to implement did not come to pass. We can blame it on the deadwood clearout that was needed, the club sale, injuries, etc...and all of that did play a factor. But, the responsibility ultimately lies with the manager.

It likely would have been best for him to be let go in the summer, though I am not so arrogant as to pretend to know all the thinking behind Ineos' plan.

But I digress. Thanks for the hard work, the Cup wins, the handling of the never-ending drama that has been our club since Sir Alex retired. Good luck in your next challenge.

 

[fps]

Really? You didn’t enjoy the trophies? I loved them. We need to be winning them every year.

You've really given me pause to think, and yes the FA Cup win was sweet, but it made me want to kick a door off its hinges because it showed that this United side can absolutely compete if the manager would show some genuine tactical thinking and focus on trying to win games. It showed the players would buy into a system that made sense and lay it on the line for each other. And it showed that he's chosen not to do that the entire rest of the time, while simultaneously wasting the most money of any manager in United history.

He set the team up for that match like he needed to win it. Without understanding that he was meant to set up the team for every match like he needed to win it.

 

[GueRed]

Wasn't my first choice in 2022. But I was behind him all the way until the end of last season when I started losing faith.

Overall the football wasn't good. Thankful for the two cups though.

Beating City in the 2024 FA Cup Final and Liverpool along the way was really sweet.

 

[Ish]

Agreed, I dont hate Ten Hag like alot of others do, he struggled to get his points across by the looks of it.

The fact that he didn't lose the dressing room like previous managers did, seems to suggest players bought into his style but for one reason or another, it just didn't work.

Benni McCarthy also came out saying he is a very good tactical coach, one of the best, normally the staff that leave always have negative things to say.

The media portrayed him in a negative light but like Laurie from Athletic mentioned, he is a good guy, so I wish him all the best in the future.

I would like to see him go manage another top team and do well.

Yeah, I echo those sentiments. He seems a very hard worker with supposed good tactical nous. For whatever reason, he couldn’t communicate that across with us. I hope he goes on and does well elsewhere as well. Not sure if he’ll ever be able to manage the “super clubs” though, as some sort of man management skill is pivotal amongst these overpaid primadonnas.

 

[Schmeichels pinky]

1. Won two trophies after 6 years trophy drought
2. Beating City in FA was amazing moment
3. Got rid most of deadwood
4. Fully promoted Mainoo and Garnacho
5. Left more or less good squad (especially regarding age) to next manager
6. He never disrespected club in any way.
7. Seemed as a nice guy.

Thank you, Erik.

8. Signed Hojlund

 

[Andycoleno9]

8. Signed Hojlund

 

[Mindhunter]

I just read this damning statistic so thought I will post it here. The last time we managed fewer than 9 goals at this stage in the league, we got relegated. That itself is grounds for firing.

Ultimately, the job proved too much of a poisoned chalice for him with the injuries, player egos, Greenwood, and the ownership changes.

 

[Schmeichels pinky]

1 Hag, 2 cups.

Good cup, bad cup

 

[Sunny Jim]

I remember that Spurs game at Old Trafford that we won 2-0 in his first season.
I thought yeh this is the way we should be playing, think we had a crazy number of shots and corners inside the first 20 mins and we were all over them.

Not sure why we didn’t stick to that.

Imho Spurs at OT and Barcelona away were the best game under ETH in terms of gameplan execution. I was hoping Spurs game was the blueprint of the new team.

 

[gaffs]

Ornstein also shut down the insinuation that he lost the dressing room (this was around the time we had the ex Co meeting).

He's an awkward personality and as you say probably failed to come across in the way he meant. A role like ours needs more charisma and nuance and he lacked in that department.

He did try to show his soft sides, giving sancho extended breaks mid season and defending him during it, or defending Rashford relentlessly. But when he needed to use the stick (rightly) the words need to be chosen carefully and he never got that right in some interviews. You'd probably believe that this happened behind the scenes too

Completely agree. I think his personality and his ability to communicate was his downfall.

In terms of character, Amorim seems to be the antithesis of Ten Hag, which is why i'm so hopeful.

 

[Ludens the Red]

1. Won two trophies after 6 years trophy drought
2. Beating City in FA was amazing moment
3. Got rid most of deadwood
4. Fully promoted Mainoo and Garnacho
5. Left more or less good squad (especially regarding age) to next manager
6. He never disrespected club in any way.
7. Seemed as a nice guy.

Thank you, Erik.

Yeah this one is a big no no. He replaced deadwood with deadwood. But I agree with the rest.

I remember that Spurs game at Old Trafford that we won 2-0 in his first season.
I thought yeh this is the way we should be playing, think we had a crazy number of shots and corners inside the first 20 mins and we were all over them.

Not sure why we didn’t stick to that.

Yeah that spurs game is my fav United game probably since those three games under Lvg (Spurs, Liverpool city) . We were pressing high, relentlessly, creating chance after chance. Genuinely thought that was gonna be the norm but in truth in disappeared within a week.

 

[wolvored]

I couldnt work him out tbh. I was excited he came in and that first season, despite vulnerabilities, I though we were going places.
Last season it was obvious that there was something that had changed in him. He seemed to not be able to influence the team. His in game management and subs a lot of the time didnt make sense. His after match discussions were ridiculous at times, with the verbal crap he spouted. He had a fortunate FA semi final win and a good final win, which obviously kept him in a job (god knows how), but VG was sacked with a better league finish and the cup win, which didnt make sense to me.
This season he was even worse and I think he will be relieved that it is all over.
I bear him no malice. He tried, like all the others, but ultimately it was too big a job for him. Good luck Eric in the future.

 

[gaffs]

Considering for two years Ten Hag had carte blanche to bring in the players he wanted and in many cases he had first hand experience of working with them, or seeing them in the Dutch league, then i think that his tenure can only be viewed as a massive failure. Maybe worse that that of previous managers.

I don't think we can praise him for getting rid of the deadwood, because the deadwood like Martial, Donny, Bailly or Telles were either coming to the end of their contract or were sold on the cheap.

Now had he made "brave decisions" and got rid of some of the players that didn't fit into his system, for the greater good of the team, then i would have given him a lot more credit.

Fact is, he was regully fielding an XI with 7 or 8 of his own signings in, plus Garna and Mainoo who happened to come through while he was incharge. Yet he wasn't able to get a tune out of them.

Another damming fact is that of the existing players who were regulars before Ten Hag joined, non improved under him. Dallot, you could argue is the exception. So he wast able to get much out of the players he signed, nor the player that were already at the club.

And to top it of, over the last year, you couldnt point to any single area of the field and say we look competent in that department. From keeper, to back four, to midfield to forward line. Yes, i understand that no position group works in a silo, but you see many teams that are at least solid at the back and poor uptop, but we were lacking all over.

 

[gaffs]

Yeah this one is a big no no. He replaced deadwood with deadwood. But I agree with the rest.

Agree. You don't get praise for allowing Martial to run out his contract, devaluing Sancho to the point where we had to pay Dortmund to take him for 6 months or for stripping Maguire of his captaincy when also trying to sell him, thus showing potential suitors you are even more desperate to sell, thus not getting the money you need.

 

[Revan]

1) The FA Cup beating Liverpool and City in the process was great. League Cup less so, but we had not won anything in 6 years, so it was still nice to get it.
2) The period after the World Cup till the League Cup win was arguably the most enjoyable, and definitely most hopeful, period since SAF. It looked that we might be at the beginning of something good, and for the first time since SAF left, I thought we will go and outplay Liverpool in their own stadium. Oh how wrong I was.
3) (Thinking but cannot find something else.)

 

[NZT-One]

Agreed, I dont hate Ten Hag like alot of others do, he struggled to get his points across by the looks of it.

The fact that he didn't lose the dressing room like previous managers did, seems to suggest players bought into his style but for one reason or another, it just didn't work.

Benni McCarthy also came out saying he is a very good tactical coach, one of the best, normally the staff that leave always have negative things to say.

The media portrayed him in a negative light but like Laurie from Athletic mentioned, he is a good guy, so I wish him all the best in the future.

I would like to see him go manage another top team and do well.

Ornstein also shut down the insinuation that he lost the dressing room (this was around the time we had the ex Co meeting).

He's an awkward personality and as you say probably failed to come across in the way he meant. A role like ours needs more charisma and nuance and he lacked in that department.

He did try to show his soft sides, giving sancho extended breaks mid season and defending him during it, or defending Rashford relentlessly. But when he needed to use the stick (rightly) the words need to be chosen carefully and he never got that right in some interviews. You'd probably believe that this happened behind the scenes too

Well said, I second those takes

He did a lot right in his first season, especially with many on and off field challenges.

There were glimpses of his preferred style working but he doesn’t have the right players or buy in or the proper implementation/communication. His refusal or inability to adapt to get results damned him

No he didn't. He went too cautious trying to not do too much of a change for our players. It made sense from certain perspectives but ultimately, we just wasted a year.

--
I think, bringing ETH in was the right decision and it helped with some developments, less with others. I don't take too much of an issue with the results - he showed in the first season and at the end of the last one, that he knows how to set up in a way that is a little more difficult to beat and to get results. It was curageous to attempt to do something more, not just continue Ole ball but to implement some modern principles - even though even I think, he didn't manage to stay at the right side of the path between courageous and stubborn all the time. No question, his ideas really didn't work out, he didn't manage to get the players to the things he wanted them to and I really hope that somebody will dive into why exactly that is (to not repeat the exact same mistake).

 

[El Zoido]

I couldnt work him out tbh. I was excited he came in and that first season, despite vulnerabilities, I though we were going places.
Last season it was obvious that there was something that had changed in him. He seemed to not be able to influence the team. His in game management and subs a lot of the time didnt make sense. His after match discussions were ridiculous at times, with the verbal crap he spouted. He had a fortunate FA semi final win and a good final win, which obviously kept him in a job (god knows how), but VG was sacked with a better league finish and the cup win, which didnt make sense to me.
This season he was even worse and I think he will be relieved that it is all over.
I bear him no malice. He tried, like all the others, but ultimately it was too big a job for him. Good luck Eric in the future.

As we’re now finding out, the win didn’t really keep him in a job. INEOS tried to replace him regardless but the right manager wasn’t available in the time frame they had, and the backroom staff wasn’t established yet either. The win was fortuitous for INEOS in a way, because it’d allow them to keep him in place without pissing off too many fans, while they worked on a succession plan. With the intention he’d keep things ticking over. Also seeing stories about how they didn’t trust him in the transfer market and that Yoro, Ugarte, and even Zirkzee and De Ligt were NOT Ten Hag signings. It’s all starting to make sense. The problem was that nobody foresaw the season going so horribly wrong so quickly.

 

[Dr Foo]

Well said, I second those takes

No he didn't. He went too cautious trying to not do too much of a change for our players. It made sense from certain perspectives but ultimately, we just wasted a year.

--
I think, bringing ETH in was the right decision and it helped with some developments, less with others. I don't take too much of an issue with the results - he showed in the first season and at the end of the last one, that he knows how to set up in a way that is a little more difficult to beat and to get results. It was curageous to attempt to do something more, not just continue Ole ball but to implement some modern principles - even though even I think, he didn't manage to stay at the right side of the path between courageous and stubborn all the time. No question, his ideas really didn't work out, he didn't manage to get the players to the things he wanted them to and I really hope that somebody will dive into why exactly that is (to not repeat the exact same mistake).

Coming into a new league with the players we have, of course he couldn’t go full on trying to change the way we play. But for a few months (after the World Cup leading up to our league cup win) you could see we had some patterns of play distinct from ole ball before. We tried to play out from the back a bit more, some intricate build ups and pressing more, whilst being solid. A good manager needs to balance the realities of the tools he has and in the league we are in, with the ideals of playing style.

Doing a drastic change from season 2 onwards, and not responding as we continuously concede 20+ shots per match to any team is crazy. He could only then alternate between basketball style or defensive style with no goal threat.

 

[LuckyScout78]

From a outside and personal point of view. Because i don't know him in person. Just trough media and internet.

But from what i have been learn.

For me, who look a bit strict and difficult.

Then if you are strict and difficult. You will attract same peoples and lead you on a difficult and hard way. Then the start of his second season what just that difficult moment and path that happen.
Right after the summer transfer window of last season. 2 of his main RW options were out of disposition because of private problem and conflict with him. It lead him with no natural RW options.
Antony waw just ok before that. But worse after he came back. And Sancho play again for United so far.

All i can say is. Nothing wrong with a easy or difficult path to the top of the mountain. Mountain of success. Some prefer a more natural walk and difficult path, the hiking up the top. Many lazy ass prefer cable up.

We are what our mind think. Then it will lead us on that path and attract what we think and are.

So again. I don't Ten Hag in person or private. But from what i have been observed. This is the hard and tough guy.

Difficult and strict. Because of and compare of lazy peoples. The opposite of it.

And same with players. Some players like or tolerate managers, some not. Nothing right or wrong.

But again. I don't think and it would be a easy path to premier league champion for Ten Hag. It is and was the man for a long long difficult path. So it might take many many years. And that patience didn't had Manchester United.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

I think the Fa cup is even better as we beat Liverpool in an epic on the way too. It was well deserved

Yeah, fair enough. But it's still a bit random (in terms of actually counting it as a significant achievement by ETH). It took penalties against Coventry (after spectacularly throwing away a 3-0 lead!) to get to the final, lest we forget.

 

[SER19]

Yeah, fair enough. But it's still a bit random (in terms of actually counting it as a significant achievement by ETH). It took penalties against Coventry (after spectacularly throwing away a 3-0 lead!) to get to the final, lest we forget.

I know, that game was crazy, but it also took turning around a 3-2 deficit in extra time versus Liverpool. It was a fun cup run with lots of drama, id happily watch the highlights dvd. Capping it off by beating city with such a good display, stopping the double double, was great. As domestic cup wins go it's certainly one of my favourites

 

[JimiboyX]

I know, that game was crazy, but it also took turning around a 3-2 deficit in extra time versus Liverpool. It was a fun cup run with lots of drama, id happily watch the highlights dvd. Capping it off by beating city with such a good display, stopping the double double, was great. As domestic cup wins go it's certainly one of my favourites

It was absolute class but the nature of the 4-3 against Liverpool and that penalties win against Coventry aren't really ringing endorsements for the manager. They're just random noise in outcomes coming through in our favour and making for great entertainment.

More credit due for the final itself, certainly. But in general, knockout tournaments are not the best way to measure the quality of a manager, unless they consistently do well in them (I don't mean two in two seasons with one being the league cup, I mean Ancelotti CL levels).

I loved Erik in his first season and do wonder what might have been had the bizarre 7-0 drubbing actually turned out a more reasonable 2-0 or something, but here we are. It totally fell apart for him and he has been on borrowed time for a while now, so best thing for all parties, and pretty overdue.

 

[Malons]

One man, two cups. Honestly I'd have rather watched two men, one cup instead of the football he served up

 

[Its all gone Shane Long]

Somwhere, out there, right now, in this very minute, ETH is screaming at the tv…look how quick we are playing, flare, pace, goals why oh why couldn’t they do this, these past two years.

 

[Lay]

I do wonder why he abandoned his whole philosophy when that was one of the reasons he was brought in. Should have kept going with it because the alternative wasn't working either.

I don't always like to put transfers on the managers because a lot of people have to agree on them, but I don't think the squad is any stronger from the day he walked in to now.

I think he will get a job back in the Netherlands or Germany and do fine but I can't see him do much elsewhere after the damage caused here.

I think he tried to do the right things but he had a lot to deal with but that's what comes with being the manager at United.

Anyway, it wasn't a really bad time, with awful football but those two cups were needed so he gets props for that.

 

[NZT-One]

Coming into a new league with the players we have, of course he couldn’t go full on trying to change the way we play. But for a few months (after the World Cup leading up to our league cup win) you could see we had some patterns of play distinct from ole ball before. We tried to play out from the back a bit more, some intricate build ups and pressing more, whilst being solid. A good manager needs to balance the realities of the tools he has and in the league we are in, with the ideals of playing style.

Doing a drastic change from season 2 onwards, and not responding as we continuously concede 20+ shots per match to any team is crazy. He could only then alternate between basketball style or defensive style with no goal threat.

Don't think I agree with this. Seems like a "see what you want to see" situation. First season under ETH we got a bloody nose in the first two matches and from then on, it was Ole ball with more technical and better players plus (I'll give you that) more courage in playing out from the back. But looking back, that might also just be the effect from Martinez coming in. There weren't any patterns of play that were there for a while and then faded away. Maybe you have a different understanding than me but those things take time to get installed and then they aren't just fading away over time.

The change in approach in season 2 is definitely crass but it was what he had in mind I guess. He was fairly unlucky with injuries that made the task even harder and yes, he probably should have delayed the effort and switch back. But I guess, he gambled that it might take off at some point. It didn't, he lost the bet. He also put his trust onto the wrong players who, when their form faded, weren't able to keep the boat floating.

But the approach was the right one. If Amorim comes in starting with a back four and keeping it tight, waiting for counters, then we'd be asking questions. The manager only has a limited time - he might as well do what got him the move in the first place.

I do wonder why he abandoned his whole philosophy when that was one of the reasons he was brought in. Should have kept going with it because the alternative wasn't working either.

I don't always like to put transfers on the managers because a lot of people have to agree on them, but I don't think the squad is any stronger from the day he walked in to now.

I think he will get a job back in the Netherlands or Germany and do fine but I can't see him do much elsewhere after the damage caused here.

I think he tried to do the right things but he had a lot to deal with but that's what comes with being the manager at United.

Anyway, it wasn't a really bad time, with awful football but those two cups were needed so he gets props for that.

Yeah same here... I guess, he realized the discrepancy between his requirements and the available resources pretty early when we got smashed in the first two games. I think, he then went into compensation mode, didn't ruffle too many players while bringing in more players he saw fitting for his actual plan. Adn when 2nd season started he just went with it. Didn't end well and I guess, just like any other manager, he crumbled in the dilemma between trying to get results but also trying to implement his ideas.

 

[Robertd0803]

1) Carabao Cup/FA Cup. Cant split them. The importance of the first trophy win in years cant be understated.

2) The Barca games where we were great and those games got more hype and attention than nearly anything in the Champions League that season.

3) The Liverpool QF was an all time classic.

4) The wins over City/Liverpool/Arsenal were always great.

5) The 3-2 win over Villa on Boxing Day because it made my day seeing my inlaws so annoyed by the result.

 

[Zoo]

I think he’s a good manager and person who struggled to get his message across and with adapting to English football. Fair to say he completely lost his way last season and never recovered. Hope to see him back doing well again but it almost certainly won’t be in England.

 

[Fully Fledged]

Thank you Erik for 2 trophies. I wish you luck where ever you end up, as long as you are not competing against United.

To the twisted gets, who can't see a thread like this without bombarding it with negativity. I pity you, that you are that hollow.

 

[DSG]

Well said, I second those takes

No he didn't. He went too cautious trying to not do too much of a change for our players. It made sense from certain perspectives but ultimately, we just wasted a year.

--
I think, bringing ETH in was the right decision and it helped with some developments, less with others. I don't take too much of an issue with the results - he showed in the first season and at the end of the last one, that he knows how to set up in a way that is a little more difficult to beat and to get results. It was curageous to attempt to do something more, not just continue Ole ball but to implement some modern principles - even though even I think, he didn't manage to stay at the right side of the path between courageous and stubborn all the time. No question, his ideas really didn't work out, he didn't manage to get the players to the things he wanted them to and I really hope that somebody will dive into why exactly that is (to not repeat the exact same mistake).

To say his ideas didn’t work out is generous. Borderline stupid if you ask me… the 3-1-6 formation was the definition of idiotic.

 

[DSG]

Don't think I agree with this. Seems like a "see what you want to see" situation. First season under ETH we got a bloody nose in the first two matches and from then on, it was Ole ball with more technical and better players plus (I'll give you that) more courage in playing out from the back. But looking back, that might also just be the effect from Martinez coming in. There weren't any patterns of play that were there for a while and then faded away. Maybe you have a different understanding than me but those things take time to get installed and then they aren't just fading away over time.

The change in approach in season 2 is definitely crass but it was what he had in mind I guess. He was fairly unlucky with injuries that made the task even harder and yes, he probably should have delayed the effort and switch back. But I guess, he gambled that it might take off at some point. It didn't, he lost the bet. He also put his trust onto the wrong players who, when their form faded, weren't able to keep the boat floating.

But the approach was the right one. If Amorim comes in starting with a back four and keeping it tight, waiting for counters, then we'd be asking questions. The manager only has a limited time - he might as well do what got him the move in the first place.

Yeah same here... I guess, he realized the discrepancy between his requirements and the available resources pretty early when we got smashed in the first two games. I think, he then went into compensation mode, didn't ruffle too many players while bringing in more players he saw fitting for his actual plan. Adn when 2nd season started he just went with it. Didn't end well and I guess, just like any other manager, he crumbled in the dilemma between trying to get results but also trying to implement his ideas.

He implemented his ideas… they just sucked.

Happy for the trophies though…

 

[Big Ben Foster]

I don't understand why he was given so much power over transfers, or why he repeatedly insisted on dipping into the Dutch league and/or buying players he'd previously worked with.

Everyone could see from a mile away that it was a recipe for disaster, and yet the same strategy persisted, window after window.

And now we're broke and stuck with a ton of deadwood in our squad.

 

[Adebisi's Hat]

I have no bad feeling towards ETH and think he will end up doing a good job in Bundesliga at Dortmund or one of the bigger clubs. In the first 2 seasons he had a lot of off field situations to deal with and overall despite it being a bit ham-fisted the right calls were made on Sancho and Ronaldo. The trophies were very welcome after a potless Ole period. Overall though the squad is in decent shape, INEOS have their structure in place and with potentially a lot of youngsters coming through over the next few years Amorim is actually coming in at a good time. The lack of charisma and presence probably is a fair call though and is needed to thrive long term at a club like Utd.

 

[NZT-One]

To say his ideas didn’t work out is generous. Borderline stupid if you ask me… the 3-1-6 formation was the definition of idiotic.

Understand the frustration but in my opinion, it doesn't make sense to judge an idea without the execution. Applies the other way around as well. Our team didn't move very well, we lacked intensity. ETH could have had the best idea on the planet and we would have still fought an uphill battle. The ideas he tried, inverting fullbacks, high line, 3-2 buildup, high 8 - nothing is ETH specific. Those ideas are in place in many teams and they work well. It just didn't for us. And thats most likely due to the manager not being able to communicate well enough or whatever. But at the same time, some of our players just don't have that - guys like McTom, Rashford, Shaw - they've never been in teams that are organised to such a level.

This is not protecting ETH here, he definitely should have adjusted his plan when he saw the magnitude of "it doesn't work" and some of his ideas were definitely weird. But thats his implementation, not the ideas itself. Wouldn't be shocked, when Amorim implements very similar ideas, especially in terms of high line. His double pivot is also apparently very mobile - lets see how this works out. If Amorim tries this stuff with Eriksen and Casemiro, he will also get smashed for it. Lets hope he is smart enough not even to attempt it.

He implemented his ideas… they just sucked.

Happy for the trophies though…

see above

 

[DarkLord1984]

I don't understand why he was given so much power over transfers, or why he repeatedly insisted on dipping into the Dutch league and/or buying players he'd previously worked with.

Everyone could see from a mile away that it was a recipe for disaster, and yet the same strategy persisted, window after window.

And now we're broke and stuck with a ton of deadwood in our squad.

I agree. The amount he spent was just insane. To make us worse.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't he our highest spending manager ever?