Erik ten Hag has insisted former Manchester United stars turned pundits ‘don’t always know what’s going on’ at the club and believes their criticism can have an impact on players.
Ten Hag served as the Red Devils boss for two-and-a-half years, before he was sacked in October 2024.
The Dutchman had come under fire from pundits during his time in the Old Trafford dugout, with Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand among former Man United stars speaking out about events at the club.
The pair continue to be vocal with Sky Sports pundit Neville having recently expanded his Overlap podcast empire, while Ferdinand has a well-established YouTube channel.
Former Man United captain Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney are also among prominent pundits, as well as Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
Speaking to the Athletic, Ten Hag said he had respect for the achievements of Man United legends but stressed that their comments can have an impact on players and that they ‘don’t always know what’s going on’ at the club.
Erik ten Hag insisted he has respect for former Man United stars turned pundits for their achievements, but stressed they ‘don’t always know what’s going on’ at the club
Ten Hag admitted the words of high-profile former stars can have an impact on players
‘It’s everywhere the same, they always want to protect their legacies,’ Ten Hag said. ‘It’s no different than Bayern Munich or Ajax; they do the same. But they are history, and they do not always know what’s going on. Football evolves.
‘For United, it’s clear: they had great contributions, they achieved massive results, trophies for the club and for themselves, so I respect them.
‘I have to say, I had a very good relationship with them all, with Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand. I did nice interviews with them both, so it didn’t hurt me.
‘Of course, they have podcasts, they have their models. Sometimes it’s difficult for players. Some of them get affected by it, get annoyed by it.
‘They achieved massive successes. But also, they can help the club more, help the players more. There should be two ways that they support it. But I think always the thing you most love, you most criticise.’
Ten Hag led Man United to the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024, while he oversaw third and eighth place league finishes in his two completed seasons.
He hit out at pundits prior to Man United’s FA Cup triumph against rivals Man City, which proved key to the Dutchman keeping his job at the end of the 2023-24 season.
‘The pundits in England want to score, they want to show they are worth the money, and for that Manchester United is an easy prey,’ Ten Hag said prior to the match.
Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes were among Man United legends Ten Hag dealt with during his time in the Old Trafford dugout
‘It’s the biggest club in England and possibly in the world. The club is either loved or hated, there is no in-between.
‘So when things go bad, they all start talking and talking with very big words. All this negativity from these so-called experts who don’t have the capability to analyse something with facts, but who prefer to attack people to make themselves look better.
‘And these same people were the ones who gave me a pat on the back last year. Last year I was able to walk on water, this year I am the worst manager in the Premier League.’
Ten Hag had jokingly poked fun at Roy Keane‘s managerial record after overseeing Man United’s FA Cup victory, while he also had a tense exchange with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on the BBC post-match.
The FA Cup triumph had led to Ten Hag’s contract being extended, but the Dutchman was sacked in October 2024 with Man United languishing in 14th in the Premier League.
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