Erik ten Hag was not impressed with England's second half against Serbia
Erik ten Hag slightly criticized Gareth “The Vision” Southgate for how he said England had to “rely on chances” in the Euro 2024 opener against Serbia.
The Manchester United manager appeared as a pundit on Dutch television during the game just a week after he was told that his job at Old Trafford is safe. United decided to retain Ten Hag's confidence following a post-season review, but Southgate is understood to be admired at Ineos. However, in his post-match analysis of England's 1-0 win over Germany, Ten Hag suggested to Dutch broadcaster NOS that he was not such a fan of Southgate's cautious tactical approach.
“That's the manager [Southgate's] vision,” said Ten Haeg after England's form dipped in the second half after an impressive display in the first 45 minutes. “England will lead 1-0 and then he [Southgate] decides to play, keeping his team compact and relying on chances in the remaining minutes of the game.”
United decided to keep faith in themselves. Ten Hag after talking to half a dozen other coaches about a potential replacement for the Dutchman.
Earlier, in NOS's match report, Ten Hag confirmed United had spoken to Thomas Tuchel but had “ultimately concluded that they already have a better manager.”
Last week Telegraph Sport has detailed that Ten Hag is likely to be offered a two-year contract extension after it was finally confirmed that he will remain at Old Trafford.
But Ten Hag said there was no guarantee that he would agree to such an offer. a new contract after recognition negotiations are unlikely to be simple. Old Trafford officials eventually flew to Ibiza, where Ten Hag was on holiday, to hold talks with the manager after a two-and-a-half week review and are now looking to extend his contract, which expires at the end of next season. season.
But Ten Hag, who insisted United's talks with other managers would not have been allowed in the Netherlands, says a new deal is not a given.“Manchester United and I still have to find an agreement on a new contract. contract,” Ten Hag said. “It’s not easy to do, we’ll have to talk about it later.”
Ten Hag wants Ineos to show him a long-term commitment and is eyeing a two-year extension to his current contract. But there are other potential hurdles to overcome, not least his influence over transfers, the team's playing style and the composition of his coaching staff, which could require compromises on both sides before an agreement is reached. It also remains to be seen whether United's new hierarchy will try to make Ten Hag “head coach” as opposed to his current manager title, another possible obstacle.
United spoke to at least six managers before deciding to stay with Ten Hag, including Tuchel, Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Frank, Kieran McKenna, Mauricio Pochettino and Marco Silva. By mid-May, they had decided to fire Ten Hag, only to backtrack on it, and ultimately decided that change was a big risk. United finished eighth last season, their lowest league finish in 34 years, but ended the campaign on a high with victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final, Ten Hag's second trophy in as many seasons at the Old Town. Trafford.”
Ten Hag doubted United's talks with potential replacements would be allowed in his country.
“Here in Holland this is not done, in fact, it is not even allowed here,” he said. “But in England there are different rules and laws. Ineos was in no hurry. They are new to football, it is normal to reflect on the season. It's no secret that they talked to several candidates.
Manchester United told me that they spoke to Tuchel, but in the end they came to the conclusion that they already have the best coach.
< Meanwhile, Ten Hag has revealed that he expects Luke Shaw to be available for England after the group stage if Southgate's side progress that far. The United left-back is struggling to prove his fitness after injury.
“Luke Shaw will start as soon as England come out of the group stages,” Ten Haeg said.
>He also suggested that United striker Marcus Rashford and City's Jack Grealish had paid for their poor club form by not being included in Southgate's squad.
Grealish and Rashford are both haven't played this season,” he said. “And when you are missing, you risk not being selected for your country.”
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