Jan Hoeksema29 Oct 2024, 12:18
Last updated: Oct 29, 2024, 12:18
Arne Slot offered Erik ten Hag a heartfelt message the day after his forced departure from Manchester United. The Liverpool coach acknowledges that it is a big disappointment for his colleague, but sees him returning to work for a ‘big club’ in the long term.
“He is a Dutch trainer, so that makes it a bit more difficult, for me and for other Dutch people,” Slot said at the press conference in the run-up to the cup match with Brighton & Hove Albion. “The first thoughts always go out to the person in question.”
“We all do this work, so we know that it (being fired, ed.) can happen. But if it does happen…”
“I also know him a little and I know how much effort he puts into his work. If he hears such news, it is a shame,” Slot expresses sympathy for his (ex-)competitor.
“But we know, and we certainly know this in the Netherlands, how well he has done at Ajax and that he has won two trophies here (in England, ed.). So we will see him join a big club again in the near future. I think,” Slot expects that Ten Hag’s career is far from over. “But at the moment it is of course a big disappointment for him and his family.”
Manchester United sent Ten Hag packing on Monday. The lost away match against West Ham United (2-1), in which the Red Devils apparently earned more, was the last match for the Dutchman as head coach of Manchester United.
Earlier this season, Slot and Ten Hag crossed swords at Old Trafford. Liverpool came away with a clear 0-3 victory, thanks in part to a strong playing Ryan Gravenberch.
Understanding Erik ten Hag’s Departure: A Heartfelt Perspective from Arne Slot
The football world has witnessed countless managerial exits—some graceful, others as smooth as a rhinoceros on roller skates. And when the news broke that Erik ten Hag had been shown the door at Manchester United, well, it was like watching a Shakespearean tragedy unfold in slow motion, with less poetry and more bad tackling.
Arne Slot, the Liverpool coach, decided to take a moment from his own preparations—probably hoping to avoid a similar fate—to offer a heartfelt message to his Dutch compatriot. “He is a Dutch trainer, so that makes it a bit more difficult,” he noted, clearly channeling his inner philosopher. Honestly, anyone who’s ever coached understands the unbridled rollercoaster that is football management, where your next moment of glory can swiftly turn into a spectacular faceplant.
Slot most certainly empathized with Ten Hag’s situation. Being sacked is one of those low moments that could make even the bravest manager want to curl up in a fetal position with a tub of ice cream and a copy of their last winning matchday instructions. But Slot’s praise for Ten Hag didn’t stop there. He highlighted the immense effort and passion Ten Hag has poured into his work. Quite the tribute, especially considering how much easier it is to critique from the sidelines than to actually run the show.
“But if it does happen…” he added, as if he’d just secretly chuckled at the irony of it all. We all do this work, so we know the highs and lows—it’s all fun and games until someone loses their job. He articulated that if anyone understands the pain of this situation, it’s those in the same industry who’ve survived the managerial Hunger Games.
As Slot expressed sympathy for his counterpart, one wonders—was there a hint of schadenfreude in that Liverpool win earlier this season over Manchester United? It wouldn’t be much of a stretch—imagine the delight in the dressing room when they left Old Trafford with a glorious 3-0 in their pockets, aided notably by the promising Ryan Gravenberch. Could it be that Liverpool’s coach was winking at the cosmic irony that the Manchester team he just bested has now sent its own coach packing?
And can we just talk momentarily about the way Ten Hag was shown the door? After losing to West Ham—who, let’s be honest, are about as consistent as a cat at a dog show—2-1, the decision was apparently made. This was the last straw for the Red Devils. One can only imagine the dramatic player-versus-coach conversations in the aftermath, with tension thicker than a foggy night in London.
But on a serious note, Slot rightly points out Ten Hag’s impressive track record. His time with Ajax was nothing short of a masterclass in tactical genius, and two trophies in England ballpark him as someone not cold in the waters of managerial competency. “So we will see him join a big club again in the near future,” Slot assured us. Well, let’s hope it’s not a circus act, but rather a dignified return because, let’s be real, football is better when top talent remains in the game.
So, as we all wish Ten Hag the best in what will hopefully be an Uber ride away from this disappointment, we’re left with the thoughts and prayers of competitors who secretly relish their own moments of triumph. After all, every great managerial story—even the tragic ones—has a plot twist just waiting to happen. Stay tuned!
In a poignant gesture of solidarity, Arne Slot reached out to Erik ten Hag with encouraging words just a day after the latter’s abrupt exit from Manchester United. Acknowledging the weight of disappointment his fellow Dutchman faces, the Liverpool manager remains optimistic about Ten Hag’s future, envisioning a comeback to a prominent club in the near horizon.
At a press conference held prior to the upcoming cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion, Slot noted, “He is a Dutch trainer, so that makes it a bit more difficult, for me and for other Dutch people. The first thoughts always go out to the person in question.” This sentiment reflects the close-knit nature of the Dutch football community, where the ripple effects of such high-profile exits are deeply felt.
Slot articulated a shared understanding within the football fraternity, stating, “We all do this work, so we know that it (being fired, ed.) can happen. But if it does happen…” His thoughtful pauses underscored the gravity of the situation and highlighted the emotional toll on those affected.
Extending his empathy, Slot added, “I also know him a little and I know how much effort he puts into his work. If he hears such news, it is a shame,” demonstrating a genuine concern for Ten Hag’s well-being and dedication to the sport.
Slot further expounded on Ten Hag’s impressive track record, saying, “But we know, and we certainly know this in the Netherlands, how well he has done at Ajax and that he has won two trophies here (in England, ed.). So we will see him join a big club again in the near future.” His words of reassurance highlight the strong foundations Ten Hag has laid in his career, suggesting that this setback may just be a temporary detour.
Slot confidently forecasted, “I think,” indicating his belief that Ten Hag’s career is far from over. “But at the moment it is of course a big disappointment for him and his family,” Slot concluded, encapsulating the personal and professional impact of Ten Hag’s departure.
Manchester United hastily parted ways with Ten Hag following a disappointing away defeat to West Ham United, with the match ending 2-1. In that encounter, the Red Devils had seemingly performed better, emphasizing the unexpected nature of his dismissal.
The prior meeting between Slot and Ten Hag at Old Trafford had seen Liverpool decisively triumph with a resounding 0-3 victory, in which Ryan Gravenberch’s stellar performance was a pivotal highlight.
