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Erik ten Hag fired back at his critics on the eve of the FA Cup final, accusing TV pundits of attacking him “to make themselves look better”.
The Manchester United manager’s job hangs in the balance going into the match against Premier League champions Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday, with reports suggesting the club’s new hierarchy – led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe – is considering replacements for Ten Hag such as Thomas Tuchel and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna.
In an interview with Dutch publication VI, Ten Hag admitted the season had been “crap” as he led United to eighth place, their worst ever Premier League finish. But he was irked by the criticism he has received along the way.
“Manchester United won the league for the last time in 2013, 11 years ago, but still they expect us to win every game while competing at the top,” he said. “This club is not ready for that.
“We were supposed to start building something and we made the first steps last year, but then you find out how big this club is and that nobody is ever satisfied. Within the club people were satisfied, but outside the club there was noise by saying I won only the Carabao Cup, lost the FA Cup Final and came third.”
Ten Hag took particular issue with television analysts, accusing them of treating Manchester United as “easy prey” to attack.
“Let me be clear. It has been bad [season]. It has been crap. But despite everything, we are going to play an FA Cup final.
“The pundits in England want to score, they want to show they are worth the money, and for that Manchester United is an easy prey. It’s the biggest club in England and possibly in the world. The club is either loved or hated, there is no in-between.
“So when things go bad, they all start talking and talking with very big words. All this negativity from these so called experts who don’t have the capability to analyse something with facts, but who prefer to attack people to make themselves look better.
“And these same people were the ones who gave me a pat on the back last year. Last year I was able to walk on water, this year I am the worst manager in the Premier League.”