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Erik ten Hag could regret ill-advised Arne Slot comments as Manchester United copy Liverpool
So, after a lengthy post-season review at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag has defied the odds to keep his job as Manchester United manager.
The Dutchman might have overseen the Red Devils’ worst ever campaign in the Premier League era, finishing eighth in the table, but an FA Cup final win over Man City - and subsequent Europa League qualification - has evidently helped paper over the cracks.
Those of a United persuasion will perhaps defend Ten Hag, pointing to the English top-flight’s worst injury record in 2023/24 and takeover uncertainty that carried into the first half of the season to explain away their struggles.
READ MORE: I couldn't say no to Liverpool and neither could Arne Slot - but he could face harsh welcome
With that aforementioned FA Cup final win ensuring United have lifted silverware in both of Ten Hag’s campaigns at the club, the Red Devils will be hopeful their fortunes can improve next season. But that won’t stop their rivals from celebrating the club’s decision.
One 7-0 thrashing aside, Liverpool might have struggled to get the better out of Ten Hag’s United over the past two seasons but their rivals are still seen as a soft touch. Barring a drastic change in fortunes at Old Trafford, that outside perception will remain the same with the Red Devils discounted as a title threat as a result. It’s a far cry from Sir Alex Ferguson’s domineering conquerors.
Club bosses still reportedly held talks with Thomas Tuchel before deciding to stick with Ten Hag after the German ruled himself out of the running. Having also spoken to Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank, they are now said to be in talks over extending the Dutchman’s contract.
However, it will seemingly be in a new role. The i report that new technical director Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves will lead this summer’s transfer window activity, with Ten Hag taking a back seat from now on to focus on coaching and having to face annual reviews.
He had initially been prominent in identifying targets, to limited success, as demonstrated by the below-par fortunes when reuniting with the likes of Antony and Andre Onana. While still Manchester United manager, he will seemingly be repositioned to head coach in all but name - following the example of bitter-rivals Liverpool.
By retaining his position, Ten Hag is set to reignite an old rivalry next season following Arne Slot’s appointment as Jurgen Klopp’s successor, becoming the Reds’ first ever head coach in the process.
The United boss locked horns with Slot’s AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord sides during his own time at Ajax, with the pair each winning two of the four encounters.
Slot’s AZ completed a league double over Ajax in 2019/20, winning 1-0 at home and 2-0 away as they looked to wrestle away the then reigning champions’ title crown.
Unfortunately the coronavirus pandemic denied them the chance to complete what was shaping up to be an almighty title-race. The Eredivisie was suspended after 26 matches that season, with it later being decided to abandon the campaign. At the time Ajax were top and AZ were second, with only goal-difference (+45 to +37) separating the pair with eight games left to play.
The following season Slot was dismissed by AZ in December 2020, having already agreed a deal to take over as Feyenoord manager from the following season. Yet to face Ajax that season, he had to wait for his next meetings with Ajax as a result.
But they came in 2021/22 as Ten Hag led Ajax to his third Eredivisie title in what would prove to be his final season in charge. Finishing 12 points clear of third-placed Feyenoord, a league-double over Slot’s side ultimately helped their charge as they won 2-0 at De Kuip before managing a late comeback to win 3-2 at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.
As well as three Eredivisie titles, Ten Hag would also win two KNVB Cups with Ajax prior to his move to Manchester United in the summer of 2022. At the time, Slot was yet to win any silverware as a manager, despite reaching the Europa Conference League final that same season and impressing with both AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.
But with Ajax failing to win any silverware over the past two seasons following Ten Hag’s departure, Slot’s time in the Netherlands arrived - earning the attention of Liverpool in the process.
Leading Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title in 2022/23, they were crowned Dutch champions for the first time since 2017 and only the second time since 1999. Meanwhile, a first KNVB Cup since 2018 followed this season, as the Reds made an official move for Slot following their final win over NEC Nijmegen.
Given that history with Ten Hag, perhaps we should not be surprised that the United boss was dismissive of Slot’s Feyenoord when recently asked about his compatriot. Fighting for his own job, he also offered a backhanded compliment to Liverpool when claiming taking over the Reds was an easier job than the one he inherited at Old Trafford.
“People have been going overly lyrical about Feyenoord,” he told Voetbal International. “Feyenoord were steady this year, but not top.
“PSV Eindhoven were two classes better in all areas. In terms of dominating the ball, in terms of putting pressure, in terms of intensity, you name it.
“Bosz and his staff did that top notch, but the rest of the club is also well put together. PSV Eindhoven were better than the rest by such a long distance, even so much better than Feyenoord.”
He continued: “This is great for the Dutch trainers’ guild. And Arne Slot also fits Liverpool with his philosophy. Jurgen Klopp and Pepijn Lijnders have left a strong foundation.
“He ends up in better waters than I did when I went to Manchester United from the Netherlands - in terms of structure in the club, in terms of balance in the squad.”
A subtle dig that could well prove ill-advised, the mind games have already started. It is set up to be a fascinating sub-plot when the pair clash on the sidelines once again, with it inevitable that their fortunes in the Premier League will be compared.
Unsurprisingly, there have already been lazy comparisons made between Ten Hag and Slot since Liverpool made their move for the now former Feyenoord boss.
Disgraced former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys wasted no time in dismissing the new Reds head coach as ‘Arne ten Slot’, writing him off as a Ten Hag ‘mini-me’ as he made clear he expected the Dutchman to flop at Anfield.
“I believe Liverpool are about to make the same mistakes that Utd did,” he wrote in his personal blog back in April. “Arne ten Slot. Really? Not for me. And I’m not alone…
“Ok. Let’s cut him some slack. I accept we don’t know. It could turn out to be an inspired appointment. But I’m not convinced.
“Why ten Slot? (I know that’s not his name but he’s mini-me isn’t he?). I guarantee you we’ll hear all the same things they said about ten Hag when Liverpool finally unveil their man.
“What you won’t hear is an admission that he wasn’t first choice. Or that his record in Holland isn’t even as good as ten Hag’s was.”
It appears Keys’ ‘mini-me’ claim is based entirely on the fact that both coaches are Dutch and bald. Boasting such inspired insight, it truly is English football’s loss that we no longer get to enjoy his revolutionary talents on a weekly basis on our domestic screens.
One man better-placed to judge both Ten Hag and Slot’s credentials is former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. The 72-year-old is one of Holland's finest ever coaches, having led Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AZ Alkmaar and the Netherlands national team, as well as the Red Devils, during a 31-year managerial career.
During such a career, he would win the Champions League (reaching a further two finals), the UEFA Cup, four Eredivisie titles, three La Liga titles, the Bundesliga, domestic cups in Holland, Spain, Germany, and England, and finish third in the 2014 World Cup. And he has lauded Liverpool’s appointment of Slot, sharing his belief that his compatriot is the best active Dutch coach.
"It's a big job because Jurgen Klopp has done it fantastically, so the successor is always more difficult," Van Gaal recently told Sky Sports. "But he is a good trainer. I think at the moment - with Peter Bosz - the best trainer from the Netherlands. I think Liverpool have made a very good choice."
Time will tell if Van Gaal is proven right about Slot, but his overlooking of Ten Hag despite his past United allegiances did not go unnoticed.
Clearly both Dutch coaches have something to prove this season, yet the pressure appears greater at Old Trafford. United might be following Liverpool’s example by redefining Ten Hag’s role, but he’s on his last life as Slot’s Reds tenure is only just beginning.
Should Slot succeed where his compatriot has so far fallen short, an ‘easier’ job or not, next time Ten Hag might not be so lucky.
