[골닷컴] Reporter Lee Jeong-bin = Coach Erik ten Haag (54, Netherlands) is under increasing pressure. With the club’s high-ranking officials watching, he lost 0-3 in the home game against Tottenham, and if this performance continues, there is a possibility that he will step down as coach. Head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy (48, Netherlands) was mentioned as a successor.
Global media ‘ESPN’ reported on the 1st (Korean time), “Manchester United’s high-ranking officials decided to keep their trust in coach Ten Haag after the humiliating defeat against Tottenham. However, it is increasingly accepted that the club are under pressure ahead of this week’s game. “Manchester United will be examining the situation carefully over the next few days and are reluctant to react rashly,” he said.
Manchester United, which finished 8th in the league last season, is continuing its slump in the new season. Manchester United, who had only 2 wins (1 draw, 3 losses) in 6 league games this season, also saved face by drawing with Twente in the UEFA Europa League (UEL). Coach Ten Haag was met with all kinds of criticism after suffering a 0-3 defeat in the home match between Liverpool and Tottenham.
Manchester United’s high-ranking officials have not yet lost confidence in manager Ten Haag. However, the attitude is expected to change depending on the results of the upcoming game. Following their trip to UEL Porto, Manchester United are preparing for their trip to Aston Villa in the league. Coach Ten Haag must overcome formidable opponents to find his place.
Manchester United is expected to choose another alternative if coach Ten Haag fails to overcome the crisis. There was a possibility that new head coach Van Nistelrooy, who joined this season, could emerge as a savior. Head coach Van Nistelrooy returned to the team he was familiar with ahead of this season. He wore a Manchester United uniform from 2001 to 2006, appearing in 219 games and scoring 150 goals and 30 assists.
After retirement, he spent a short time as a coach at PSV Eindhoven, where he won the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) Baker and Johan Cruyff Schall championship trophies in the 2022-23 season. At the time, Cody Hakpo (25, Liverpool), Noni Madueke (22, Chelsea), Xabi Simmons (21, Leipzig), and Jared Branthwaite (22, Everton) were coached by head coach van Nistelrooy.
‘ESPN’ said, “Manchester United is ready to make changes if results are not achieved. “Promoting head coach Van Nistelrooy to head coach is also a viable option,” he said, adding, “If that happens, we will receive help from coach Rene Haake (52, Netherlands), who spent his time as coach at Utrecht and GoAhead Eagles.”
Meanwhile, head coach Van Nistelrooy developed ties with Korean players during his playing days. He played with Park Ji-sung (43, retired) at Manchester United and is well known for helping Park Ji-sung adapt to the Premier League stage. Afterwards, head coach Van Nistelrooy, who moved to Hamburg at the end of his career, gave generous advice to Son Heung-min (32, Tottenham) and helped him grow.
He approached Son Heung-min, who had just been promoted to the first team, in a friendly manner by first asking him about Park Ji-sung and volunteered to be his mentor. At the time, head coach Van Nistelrooy said through social networking service (SNS), “My colleague Son Heung-min is 18 years old and has tremendous talent. He expressed his affection for Son Heung-min so much that he posted, “Pay attention to him.”
