Ten Hag: I go strong in certain situations
Erik ten Hag has been quizzed on whether his management style is similar to that of the infamous ‘hairdryer treatment’ reportedly used by legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
The comparison came in a press conference ahead of the Reds' visit to Wembley Stadium for our Emirates FA Cup semi-final clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
While keeping his cards close to his chest, Ten Hag didn’t shy away from the association to Sir Alex, leaving United fans open to their own interpretation of how similar the two managers may be behind the scenes.
The boss said: “Sometimes, yeah, I can go strong in certain situations. But it’s a tool and it’s about the timing of when to use [it]. As a coach, with your communication style, you can pick many styles, and this is one of them.”
While keeping his cards close to his chest, Ten Hag didn’t shy away from the association to Sir Alex, leaving United fans open to their own interpretation of how similar the two managers may be behind the scenes.
The boss said: “Sometimes, yeah, I can go strong in certain situations. But it’s a tool and it’s about the timing of when to use [it]. As a coach, with your communication style, you can pick many styles, and this is one of them.”
It seems this tool may have been the best one for the job following the disappointing 3-0 loss to Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-final.
“I was really mad and for me it was so unacceptable,” he admitted.
“You can make mistakes, but you have to carry on.
“As a manager I can’t accept that my team is not giving its best, so I would never accept it.”
“I was really mad and for me it was so unacceptable,” he admitted.
“You can make mistakes, but you have to carry on.
“As a manager I can’t accept that my team is not giving its best, so I would never accept it.”
Ten Hag was keen to make sure his players were left in no doubt that Thursday night’s performance at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium was not of the standard he expects from his team.
He said: “Yes of course, I made them aware. I analysed what my feelings about the game were, and why [the team] didn’t match the standards of how I manage a team in professional football.”
United fans will be hoping the Dutchman can find the right managerial tool to lift his men after the midweek disappointment and take us one step closer to our second trophy of the season, by booking a place opposite local rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final on 3 June.
Our semi-final against Brighton & Hove Albion kicks off at 16:30 BST this Sunday afternoon and will be shown live in the UK on BBC One.
He said: “Yes of course, I made them aware. I analysed what my feelings about the game were, and why [the team] didn’t match the standards of how I manage a team in professional football.”
United fans will be hoping the Dutchman can find the right managerial tool to lift his men after the midweek disappointment and take us one step closer to our second trophy of the season, by booking a place opposite local rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final on 3 June.
Our semi-final against Brighton & Hove Albion kicks off at 16:30 BST this Sunday afternoon and will be shown live in the UK on BBC One.
Back to Top