Analysis:
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has downplayed the accomplishments of Arne Slot, his fellow Dutchman who recently took over at Liverpool. Ten Hag believes that people have been excessively praising Feyenoord, the club Slot managed before joining Liverpool. Despite Feyenoord finishing second in the Eredivisie this season and winning the Dutch cup, Ten Hag argues that they were not on par with PSV Eindhoven, the league winners.
According to Ten Hag, PSV Eindhoven was superior to Feyenoord in all aspects of the game. They dominated possession, applied more pressure, and played with greater intensity. Ten Hag commends the work done by Peter Bosz and his staff at PSV, stating that they were “two classes better” than Feyenoord. He attributes PSV’s success not only to the coaching staff but also to the overall structure and organization of the club.
While Feyenoord may have had a successful season, reaching the group stage of the Champions League and making it to the Europa League play-off round, Ten Hag believes that Slot has a better platform for success at Liverpool. He suggests that Slot will benefit from the strong foundation left by Jurgen Klopp and Pepijn Lijnders. Ten Hag contrasts this with his own experience at Manchester United, where he felt there was a lack of structure and balance in the squad.
Despite guiding Manchester United to victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final, Ten Hag is rumored to be on the verge of losing his job. This may be due to the team’s negative goal difference and their underwhelming performance throughout the season. While Ten Hag acknowledges Slot’s potential for success at Liverpool, he also implies that his own tenure at Manchester United was challenging due to internal issues within the club.
Overall, Ten Hag’s comments provide insight into his perspective on Feyenoord’s achievements and his own experiences at Manchester United. His comparison of Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven highlights the gap between the top teams in the Eredivisie. Additionally, his remarks about Slot’s prospects at Liverpool shed light on the differences between the two clubs in terms of structure and squad balance. These insights offer readers a deeper understanding of the dynamics within Dutch football and the challenges faced by managers at top clubs.